PLATELET-RICH PLASMA AS AN ADJUVANT IN FULL-THICKNESS SKIN WOUND HEALING IN RABBITS

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71516, Egypt.

2 Department of Cell and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71516, Egypt.

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous concentration of platelets containing various growth factors that play a crucial role in tissue repair and regeneration. It has been widely investigated in various fields, including orthopedics, dentistry, and plastic surgery, for its potential to enhance healing processes. However, its efficacy in accelerating full-thickness skin wound healing remains a topic of ongoing research. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PRP on wound closure in a rabbit model. Two full-thickness skin wounds (2-cm-diameter) were induced on the backs of 12 rabbits. Each animal received 0.5 ml of PRP on one wound, whereas the other wound served as a control. Wound healing was assessed grossly, morphometrically by digital imaging and histopathologically for 4 weeks. PRP significantly accelerated wound healing, with the PRP-treated group showing 58.17% closure by week 2 compared to 30.17% in controls. By week 4, both groups achieved near-complete closure (97.87% for PRP vs. 97.83% for control), but PRP demonstrated faster healing initially. Histopathological analysis at 2 weeks showed complete re-epithelialization and reduced inflammation in the PRP group, whereas the control group exhibited granulation tissue with infiltration of inflammatory cells and proliferation of fine capillaries (neo-vascularization). At 4 weeks of wound induction, the PRP-treated group showed increased epithelial coverage accompanied by hair follicle proliferation, while controls had an epithelial layer but no hair follicle proliferation. In conclusion, PRP significantly accelerates wound healing, particularly during the early phases, highlighting its potential in improving skin wound repair.

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