title: Effect of platelet-rich plasma combined with demineralised bone matrix on bone healing in rabbit ulnar defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluates the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with xenogeneic demineralised bone matrix (DBM) on bone healing of critical-size ulnar defects (2-2.5 times the ulnar diameter) in New Zealand White rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Critical-size defects were created unilaterally in the ulna of 36 rabbits, while keeping the contralateral limb intact. They were divided into three groups. In Group A, the defect was filled with autologous PRP and in Group B, with autologous PRP combined with DBM; in Group C, the defect remained empty. The rabbits were euthanised 12 weeks postoperatively. Radiological, biomechanical and histological assessments were carried out and statistical analysis of the results was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group B had significantly higher radiological and histological scores than Groups A and C. Defects in Group B showed significant new bone formation, whereas there was minimal or no new bone formation in Groups A and C. Only specimens in Group B showed macroscopic bone union. Biomechanical evaluation of the treated and intact contralateral limbs in Group B showed significant differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, statistically significant enhancement of bone healing was found in critical-size defects treated with PRP and DBM, as shown by radiological findings, gross assessment, and biomechanical and histopathological results. Defects in the two other groups remained unbridged. Therefore, PRP was effective only when it was used in combination with a bone graft.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Galanis
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiska
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors.forename: Stylianos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kapetanakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kazakos
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors.forename: Thespis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Demetriou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014457:Ulna / Q000187:drug effects*
keywords: demineralised matrix; platelet-rich plasma; union