title: A Novel Technique for Conjunctivoplasty in a Rabbit Model: Platelet-Rich Fibrin Membrane Grafting.
abstract: Purpose. To investigate the effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane on wound healing.Methods. Twenty-four right eyes of 24 New Zealand rabbits equally divided into 2 groups for the study design. After the creation of 5 × 5 mm conjunctival damage, it was secured with PRF membrane, which was generated from the rabbit's whole blood samples in PRF membrane group, whereas damage was left unsutured in the control group. Three animals were sacrificed in each group on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 28th postoperative days. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stainings and biomicroscopic evaluation were performed and compared between groups.Results. PRF membrane generated significant expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the early postoperative period. However, the IHC evaluation allowed showing the excessive staining at day 28, in control group. Biomicroscopic evaluation revealed complete epithelialization in PRF membrane group, but none of the cases showed complete healing in the control group.Conclusions. This experimental study showed us the beneficial effects of the PRF membrane on conjunctival healing. Besides its chemical effects, it provides mechanical support as a scaffold for the migrating cells that are important for ocular surface regeneration. These overall results encourage us to apply autologous PRF membrane as a growth factor-enriched endogenous scaffold for ocular surface reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Keçiören Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Erol
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3026-6681
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Can
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan Basri
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Çakmak
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gamze
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dereli Can
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ünverdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yasin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Toklu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hücemenoğlu