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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Effects of Allogeneic Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) on the Healing Process of Sectioned Achilles Tendons of Rats: A Methodological Description
Published on: March 19, 2018
Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) on Dermal Skin Flap Survival: An Experimental Study in Rats
Efthymios D Basagiannis1, Christos Damaskos2,3, Nikolaos Garmpis4,3
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Aleris Specialistkliniken, Stockholm, SWE.
Background:
Distal necrosis remains a common limitation of random-pattern skin flaps due to progressive decline in perfusion and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a growth factor-enriched biologic that has shown promise in flap models, although preparation and composition vary. This study evaluated the effects of heterologous leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) on random-pattern dorsal skin flap viability in rats.
Materials And Methods:
Sixteen female Wistar rats underwent elevation of a cranially based random-pattern dorsal skin flap (8 × 2 cm) with placement of a cellulose barrier to impede revascularization from the wound bed. Animals were assigned to two groups (n = 8 per group): control (flap elevation only) and local heterologous PRP. Flaps were monitored daily, and animals were euthanized on postoperative day 8. Distal flap tissue was harvested, fixed in 10% formalin, processed, and evaluated by H&E staining. Necrosis was quantified histologically. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk. Between-group comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc testing. Necrosis severity categories were compared using chi-square testing.
Results:
Necrosis values were consistent with normal distribution (Shapiro-Wilk p = 0.130). One-way ANOVA demonstrated a significant difference in necrosis among groups (F = 14.855, p < 0.001). Tukey post hoc testing identified significant differences between Group A and Group B (p < 0.001). Mean necrosis decreased across treatments (Group A: 0.82, Group B: 0.59). Group A showed only mediocre/severe necrosis with no mild cases, while Group B showed no severe necrosis; the necrosis category depended significantly on group (χ2 = 24.924, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Local heterologous L-PRP improved distal flap viability under the tested conditions and produced the lowest necrosis values compared to the control group. The absence of overt adverse reactions supports the feasibility of heterologous L-PRP in this setting.
