title: Use of platelet-rich plasma solution applied with composite chondrocutaneous graft technique: an experimental study in rabbit model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Composite chondrocutaneous grafts have been used widely for patients with cleft lip nasal deformity, alar defects, and septal perforations; however, the graft viability can be easily compromised. The aim of the present study was to extend the safe length of the composite chondrocutaneous grafts by enhancement of angiogenesis and re-epithelialization through platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and to investigate the changes that occur when PRP is administered to the graft and the recipient site.
  
  
  METHODS
  Composite grafts of critical sizes (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 cm) were planned on the rabbit ears on 1 side. Group A consisted of grafts pretreated with PRP, group B consisted of recipient beds pretreated with PRP, and group C was the control group in which defects 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 cm in size were formed on the right ears of the rabbits. On postoperative day 7, matching size chondrocutaneous grafts were adapted to the defect areas without PRP. In all groups, graft viability was evaluated 7 days after graft adaptation in group C and 14 days after PRP administration in groups A and B. Wound healing was scored histopathologically and immunohistologically using hematoxylin and eosin, CD34, and smooth muscle actin staining. The terminal transferase fluorescein-dUTP nick end labeling assay was performed to quantitatively demonstrate the apoptosis ratio among the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In groups A, B, and C, the mean graft survival of the 2.0-cm equilateral triangle-shaped composite grafts was 65.43% ± 15.7%, 78.12% ± 12.8%, and 41.31% ± 37.4%, respectively (P = .0364).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PRP pretreatment accelerated composite graft survival in the 2.0-cm equilateral triangle grafts by increasing epithelial regeneration and fibrosis, inducing neovascularization, and ameliorating apoptosis rates.
authors.affiliation: Attending Surgeon, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sisli Etfal Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: kzeynep.sevim@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kamuran Zeynep
authors.initials: KZ
authors.lastname: Sevim
authors.affiliation: Attending Surgeon, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sisli Etfal Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Memet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yazar
authors.affiliation: Attending Surgeon, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sisli Etfal Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Irmak
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Istanbul University Oncology Institute, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Merva Soluk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tekkeşin
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bezm-i Alem Vakıf University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kemalettin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.affiliation: Attending Surgeon, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sisli Etfal Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selami Serhat
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sirvan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011817:Rabbits; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*