EFFECT OF PLATELET-RICH PLASMA, FAT PAD AND DURAL MATRIX IN PREVENTING EPIDURAL FIBROSIS.

OBJECTIVE: Epidural fibrosis is one of the main reasons for requiring repeated surgical intervention. Our objective was to compare the effect of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) on the development of epidural fibrosis with collagen dural matrix and free autogenous fat graft. METHODS: Male rats were separated into 3 groups. Laminectomy was implemented on the rats and epidural fat pad was placed in the first group (n = 7); equal size of collagen dural matrix was applied in the second group (n = 7); a single dose of PRP was applied in the third group (n = 7). RESULTS: Epidural fibrosis was more common in the group that collagen dural matrix was applied when compared the ones that PRP was applied. PRP group presented better values in preventing epidural fibrosis when compared to the fat pad group, however this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: PRP is a material that can be easily obtained from the very blood of patients and at an extremely low cost; the main clinical relevance of our study is that the PRP might be an efficient material for better clinical results after laminectomy surgery due to its tissue healing and epidural fibroris preventing potentials. Level of Evidence V, Animal research.

OBJETIVO: A fibrose epidural é uma das principais razões que motiva intervenções cirúrgicas repetidas. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o efeito do plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) no desenvolvimento de fibrose epidural com matriz de colágeno e enxerto de gordura autógena. MÉTODOS: Ratos machos foram separados em 3 grupos. A laminectomia foi aplicada nos ratos e gordura epidural foi colocada no primeiro grupo (n = 7); matriz de colágeno de tamanho igual foi aplicada no segundo grupo (n = 7); uma dose única de PRP foi aplicada no terceiro grupo (n = 7). RESULTADOS: A fibrose epidural foi mais comum no grupo em que a matriz de colágeno foi aplicada, quando comparada aos animais do grupo PRP. O grupo PRP apresentou os melhores valores na prevenção da fibrose epidural quando comparado ao grupo enxerto de gordura, porém a diferença não foi estatisticamente significante. CONCLUSÃO: PRP é um material de fácil obtenção do sangue dos pacientes e a baixo custo; a principal relevância clínica de nosso estudo é que o PRP pode ser um material eficiente para obter melhores resultados clínicos após a laminectomia devido à sua cicatrização tecidual e potencial de prevenção de fibrose epidural. Nível de evidência V, Pesquisa com animais.

The Effect of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Achilles Tendon Ruptures: An Experimental Study on Rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Achilles tendon ruptures are characterized by a long recovery period, high re-rupture rate and late return to work. To overcome these difficulties and augment tendon repair, many agents have been used. AIMS: To determine the effect of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures in rabbits. STUDY DESIGN: Animal experimentation. METHODS: The study included 14 New Zealand albino rabbits that were divided randomly into 2 groups, A and B, each containing seven rabbits. On day zero, all 28 Achilles tendons were tenotomized and repaired. In group A, the tendons were injected with PRP post-surgery, whereas those in group B were left untreated. On day 28, the right tendons in both groups were examined histopathologically via both light and electron microscopy, and the left tendons were subjected to biomechanical testing. RESULTS: The histological and biomechanical findings in both light and electron microscopy in group A were better than those in group B, but the difference was not significant. According to Tang's scale, the mean value in Group A was 3.57, while it was 3.0 in Group B. The mean value of Group A for the length of collagen bands was 48.09 nm while the mean value of Group B was 46.58 nm (p=0.406). In biomechanical tests, although stiffness values were higher in group A, the difference between groups was not significant. In addition, maximum load values did not differ between groups A and B. CONCLUSION: PRP had no effect on the healing process 28 days post-Achilles tendon rupture.

Analysis of thalassemia syndromes and abnormal hemoglobins in patients from the Aegean region of Turkey.

Turkey is located in a geographic area of the world where thalassemia syndromes and abnormal hemoglobins are common. In this study we aimed to evaluate the thalassemia syndromes and abnormal hemoglobins in patients from the Aegean region of Turkey. Among the patients admitted to our Pediatric Hematology or Hematology Clinic between January 1997-September 1999, hemoglobin electrophoresis of 3,228 cases investigated for anemia was done using high performance liquid chromatography. Beta thalassemia trait was diagnosed in 21.1%, beta thalassemia major in 0.2%, S-beta thalassemia in 0.37%, Hb D in 0.37%, Hb S trait in 0.32%, Hb E in 0.18%, Hb O-Arab in 0.12%, Hb G-Copenhagen in 0.09%, Hb D-Iran in 0.06%, Hb Lepore in 0.06%, Hb Hasharon in 0.03%. Our results demonstrate that people in the Aegean region of Turkey have a wide spectrum of thalassemia syndromes and abnormal hemoglobins.