[The effect of platelet-rich plasma combined with autogenous bone graft for bone regeneration in bone defects]

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of PRP on bone healing both quantitatively and qualitatively using histomorphometrical methods in a rabbit model. The examined materials were autogenous bone, PRP alone, a mixture of autogenous bone and PRP, and whole blood (as a control). These materials were implanted into artificial defects prepared in rabbit tibiae. The observation period was set at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. All specimens were used for histologic evaluation and 2- and 4-week specimens were used for histomorphometrical evaluations. The bone quantity increased when autogenous bone was applied but the percentage of mature bone in the autogenous bone site was smaller than in the PRP applied site. The results of this study suggested that the quantity of newly formed bone increased when autogenous bone was applied, but not when PRP only was applied. However, PRP might accelerate bone maturation by activating bone remodeling. According to this study, the bone quality could be altered by the application of PRP.