title: Evaluation of the Effect of Platelet-Rich Fibrin on Long Bone Healing: An Experimental Rat Model.
abstract: Pseudoarthrosis, or nonunion, of the long bones is a challenging medical condition for orthopedic surgeons to treat. Therefore, healing enhancer materials are commonly used. The authors investigated whether platelet-rich fibrin accelerates long bone healing by comparing radiological and histological findings in a rat model of open femoral fracture. Platelet-rich fibrin is a current biomaterial that contains many growth factors and platelets. There are no studies in the literature investigating the effects of platelet-rich fibrin on fracture healing. Sixteen mature male rats were divided into 2 groups. In both groups, an open femoral fracture was created. The platelet-rich fibrin was obtained by centrifuging blood collected from the rats. Rats in the study group were treated with sterile platelet-rich fibrin, and those in the control group were administered saline. The rats were killed at the end of 4 weeks and examined histologically and radiologically. The radiographic and histological scores of the 2 groups differed significantly (P<.05). These results indicate that platelet-rich fibrin is an efficient biomaterial in fracture healing and that it increases the amount of osseous tissue formation. Platelet-rich fibrin does not cause an allergic reaction, is cost-effective, and is easy to obtain. Additional studies are necessary to determine whether platelet-rich fibrin accelerates the fracture healing process or induces a better quality of fracture healing. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(3):e479-e484.].
authors.forename: Turan Cihan
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Dülgeroglu
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Metineren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D000073183:Platelet-Rich Fibrin; D051381:Rats