Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Yakup Sariguney; Reha Yavuzer; Cigdem Elmas; Idil Yenicesu; Hayrunisa Bolay; Kenan Atabay

doi:10.1055/s-2008-1076752

Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Table of Contents

J Reconstr Microsurg 2008; 24(3): 159-167
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1076752

Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Yakup Sariguney¹ , Reha Yavuzer¹ , Cigdem Elmas² , Idil Yenicesu³ , Hayrunisa Bolay⁴ , Kenan Atabay¹

¹Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
²Department of Histology and Embryology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
³Department of Pediatric Hematology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
⁴Department of Neurology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Activated platelets release various growth factors, some of which are recognized to improve nerve regeneration. This study evaluated the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in end-to-end neurorrhaphy. A total of 45 Wistar rats were used, with the initial five used for PRP preparation. The right hind limbs were used as experimental, with the left as control. The animals were treated in five groups. Group A (n = 4): The right sciatic nerve was dissected only from the sciatic notch to the bifurcation. In all other groups, the nerve was sharply transected and repaired with: group B (n = 8): two sutures; group C (n = 8): six sutures; group D (n = 10): two sutures and PRP; and group E (n = 10): six sutures and PRP. Groups D and E were compared with groups B and C, respectively. Group E had a shorter latency time in electromyography (p < 0.01) and a thicker myelin layer in the histological evaluation (p < 0.003) in comparison with group C. These positive effects of PRP were not detected in the nerves were repaired with two sutures. In this animal model, the application of PRP to the repair site helped to improve remyelinization of the sciatic nerve in rats when the epineural repair was done with six sutures.

KEYWORDS

Nerve regeneration - platelet-rich plasma - platelet gel

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Yakup SariguneyM.D.

Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey