The effect of platelet-rich plasma on survival of the composite graft and the proper time of injection in a rabbit ear composite graft model.
BACKGROUND
Administration of growth factors has been associated with increased viability of composite grafts greater than 1-cm in diameter. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains many of the growth factors studied. In this study, we evaluate the effect of PRP injection on composite graft viability and the proper time for injection.


METHODS
A total of 24 New Zealand White rabbits were divided into four groups. Autologous PRP was injected into the recipient sites three days before grafting in group 1, on the day of grafting in group 2, and three days after grafting in group 3. Group 4 served as control without PRP administration. Auricular composite grafts of 3-cm diameter were harvested and grafted back into place after being rotated 180 degrees. Median graft viability and microvessel density were evaluated at day 21 of graft via macroscopic photographs and immunofluorescent staining, respectively.


RESULTS
The median graft survival rate was 97.8% in group 1, 69.2% in group 2, 55.7% in group 3, and 40.8% in the control group. The median vessel counts were 34 (per ×200 HPF) in group 1, 24.5 in group 2, 19.5 in group 3, and 10.5 in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that PRP administration is associated with increased composite graft viability. All experimental groups showed a significantly higher survival rate and microvessel density, compared with the control group. Pre-administration of PRP was followed by the highest graft survival rate and revascularization. PRP treatments are minimally invasive, fast, easily applicable, and inexpensive, and offer a potential clinical pathway to larger composite grafts.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Hyun Nam
HN
Choi
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Yea Sik
YS
Han
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Sin Rak
SR
Kim
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Han Kyeol
HK
Kim
Department of Anatomy, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Hyun
H
Kim
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Jin Hyung
JH
Park
Graft survival; Growth substances; Platelet-rich plasma; Tissue transplantation