Increased survival of free fat grafts with platelet-rich plasma in rabbits

Background: Numerous applications of autogenous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been studied so far; however, its property of enhancing the survival of free fat grafts has not been defined yet. In the literature, many reports are anecdotal and few include controls to definitely determine the role played by PRP in these grafts. Objective: PRP was investigated to study its effect in free fat grafts' survival in a rabbit model. Material and method: A total of 30 New Zealand male rabbits aged 6 months received 0.8 g fat tissue (harvested by scissors dissection from the scapular area of the own animal) in the ears and were randomised into two groups. Group 1 (PRP group) was given the combination of 0.8 g of free fat graft and 1 ml of PRP. Group 2 (control group) received 0.8 g of free fat graft and 1 ml of saline solution. The rabbits were followed up for a period of 6 months after the procedure and then euthanised. The grafted tissue was stained with haematoxyline-eosin and submitted to microscopical evaluation. Graft histopathology was investigated for adipocyte viability, number of blood vessels and the presence of necrosis and fibrosis. All data were statistically analysed by the differences between the study groups. Results: Three major effects of the addition of PRP in the free fat graft were observed. Group 1 showed a significantly higher fat survival weight as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Histopathological investigations revealed that the number of viable adipocytes and blood vessels was higher in group 1, and still, a larger number of necrotic areas and fibrosis were detected between group 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Application of autogenous PRP can enhance free fat graft survival in rabbits. (C) 2010 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.