The effect of platelet rich fibrin on growth factor levels in urethral repair

Aim

Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is an autologous source of growth factors and promotes wound healing. An experimental study was performed to evaluate the effect of PRF on growth factor levels in urethral repair.

Materials and Methods

Eighteen Wistar albino rats were included in the study. Rats were allocated in three groups (n:6): control (CG), sham (SG), and PRF (PRFG). In SG, a 5 mm vertical incision was performed in the penile urethra and repaired with 10/0 Vicryl® under a microscope. In PRFG, during the urethral repair as described in SG, 1 cc of blood was sampled from each rat and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2400 rpm. PRF obtained from the centrifugation was placed on the repair site during closure. Penile urethras were sampled 24 hours after PRF application in PRFG and after urethral repair in SG. Transforming growth factor beta receptor (TGF-β-R-CD105), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGF-R), as well as endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), were evaluated in subepithelia of the penile skin and urethra. Groups were compared for growth factor levels and growth factor receptor expression with the Kruskal Wallis test.

Results

TGF-β-R levels were significantly decreased in SG when compared to CG (p < 0.05). In PRFG, TGF-β-R was increased in both subepithelia of penile skin and urethra with respect to SG (p < 0.05). When VEGF levels and its receptor expression were compared between SG and PRFG, VEGF levels were found to be increased in penile skin subepithelium, whereas VEGF-R expressions were decreased in urethral subepithelia in PRFG (p < 0.05). There was no difference between groups for EGFR levels (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Use of PRF after urethral repair increases TGF-β-R and VEGF expressions in urethral tissue. PRF can be considered as an alternative measure to improve the success of urethral repair.     

尿道下裂修复术后尿道皮肤瘘的治疗

目的:探讨尿道下裂修复术后尿道皮肤瘘尿瘘的治疗方法.方法:收集1995～2004年间42例尿瘘的临床资料.根据瘘口的大小和位置分别采用简单缝合术,Y-V皮瓣成形术、皮瓣推进术进行修补.结果:42例尿瘘修补后39例成功,3例失败,一次修补成功率93%(39/42).结论:遵循尿瘘的修复原则,采用皮瓣技术和多层缝合技术,可提高尿瘘修补的成功率.     

显微外科技术修复尿道下裂术后尿瘘

目的探讨显微外科技术在修复尿道下裂术后尿瘘治疗中的作用，以提高尿瘘修复成功率。方法1999年7月至2006年5月，对33例尿道下裂术后尿瘘的44个瘘口，应用显微外科技术，分别采用Thiersch偏心圆皮肤覆盖法修复28例；对伴发尿道狭窄、阴茎弯曲者5例，行阴茎瘢痕组织及狭窄尿道切除，以阴囊皮瓣重建尿道，阴茎皮瓣覆盖尿道。结果Thiersch法修复33个瘘口有5个复发；部分尿道切除加阴囊皮瓣尿道成形术修复5例，共11个瘘口，皮瓣全部成活，尿瘘无复发。结论应用显微外科技术可提高尿瘘修复的成功率，尿瘘修复的成功率还与瘘口局部情况、术式选择等有关。     

Effect of platelet rich plasma gel in a physiologically relevant platelet concentration on wounds in persons with spinal cord injury

The objective of the study was to investigate the use of a 1·3 times normal platelet concentration platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel to move chronic wounds towards healing in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The study design was a case series of 20 persons with SCI with non healing wounds. The outcome measures were, in wound area, volume, undermining and sinus tracts/tunnels (ST/Ts), calculated average, (i) percent of change from baseline, (ii) change per day from baseline, (iii) number of treatments and (iv) number of weeks. In a mean of 4·0, after treatments over 3·4 weeks, the wounds closed on an average of 47·9% in area and 56·0% in volume. Undermining closed on an average of 31·4% using 3·5 treatments over 2·6 weeks. ST/Ts closed on an average of 26·1% after 2·3 treatments over 1·5 weeks. Clinical relevance by percent of positive responders and their response: in area, 90·0% of the subjects responded positively, the average reduction was 53·8%. In volume, 90·0% responded, with an average reduction of 67·3%. Of four subjects with undermining, 75% closed 47·0% on average. Of the three with ST/Ts, 100% closed 26·1% on average. Average haemoglobin and haematocrit levels were below normal. To conclude, 1·3× PRP gel appears to progress chronic, non healing wounds in SCI patients into the granulation phase of healing quickly. Review of the literature shows these results may not be applied to all PRP preparations.     

Orthobiologics and platelet rich plasma

Orthobiologics have evolved to the extent that they significantly influence modern orthopedic surgical practice. A better understanding of the role of various growth factors and cells in the process of tendon healing, ligament repair, cartilage regeneration and bone formation has stimulated focused research in many chronic musculoskeletal ailments. Investigators have published results of laboratory as well as clinical studies, using orthobiologics like platelet rich plasma, stem cells, autologous conditioned serum etc., with variable results. However, a clear consensus over the best orthobiologic substance and the method of preparation and usage of these substances is lacking. Much of the confusion is due to the fact that studies ranging from RCTs to case reports present variable results, and the interpretations are wide-ranging. We have reviewed the available orthobiologics related data with a focus on platelet rich plasma in orthopedic conditions.     

Time course and histology of urethrocutaneous fistula formation in a porcine model of urethral healing

OBJECTIVE: Urethrocutaneous fistula is a well-known complication of hypospadias surgery and is reported in 5-10% of repairs. Using a previously described juvenile pig model, we present a histological analysis of the healing of the ventral aspect of the urethral repair and describe the histological mechanism of fistula formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve juvenile pigs underwent ventral, longitudinal urethral incision and closure over a 5-French feeding tube. The ventral aspect was closed in running fashion using two closure techniques and three suture types in each animal. Three animals were sacrificed on postoperative day 3, three on day 5, three on day 12, one on day 14, and two on day 21. Closure was one-layered incorporating urethral mucosa in the animals sacrificed on days 3, 5, and 21. An extra-mucosal suture technique was used in the group sacrificed on day 12. Sections of the penis were cut, paraffin embedded, and treated with Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. RESULTS: Fistulae were seen in 12 specimens and in association with each suture type. Fewer sections of the extra-mucosal technique showed fistulization. Fistulae lined with immature epithelium were seen by day 5. Mature fistulae were observed by day 12. Skin epithelium and urethral mucosa migrated along suture tracts. By days 12 and 21, in addition to mature fistulae, several sections showed well-healed ventral repairs with clearly extramucosal suture tracts. CONCLUSIONS: Fistula formation begins early in the healing process after ventral urethral repair. Incorporation of urethral mucosa in the ventral repair is a substrate for fistula formation with rapid migration of urethral mucosa and skin epithelium into suture tracts. The importance of a multi-layered repair and extra-mucosal suture technique are thus emphasized with respect to urethral repair. Whether the mucosal or dermal migration along suture tracts can be attenuated or prevented by changing the biochemical environment awaits further investigation.     

Use of fibrin glue in preventing urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair

Urethrocutaneous fistula is one of the most common complications after hypospadias surgery.The incidence of fistula development has varied from 4% to 20% in larger series. We sought to investigate the role of fibrin glue (Tisseel manufactured by Baxter India Pvt Ltd, Chennai, India) to reduce the chances of fistula formation in cases in proximal penile hypospadias.

Method

A total of 120 patients with proximal penile hypospadias (patients having urethral meatus at posterior third of penile shaft and at penoscrotal junction) were included in the present study. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 60 each by using Strata 9 software random number table. In group A, fibrin glue was used as a sealant after hypospadias surgery, whereas in group B, no sealant was used. All the operations were performed by single surgeon using transverse preputial tubularized island flap urethroplasty.

Result

Fistula formation occurred in 6 cases in group A (10%) and 19 cases in group B (32%) (P = .027). The fistulae observed in fibrin glue group A were single and small in size (<1 mm). Multiple (≥2 fistulae) and larger fistulae (>2 mm) were observed in group B. Overall complication was significantly higher in group B (P = .006).

Conclusion

Fibrin glue in hypospadias repair does not eliminate fistula formation. However, it seems that it minimizes the incidence of fistula formation.     

尿道下裂尿道成形术后尿瘘的治疗

目的　总结尿道下裂尿道成形术后并发尿瘘的治疗经验。方法　尿道下裂尿道成形术后尿瘘 48例 ,其中大瘘 13例 (瘘口直径 >0 .3cm) ,小瘘 3 5例 (瘘口直径 <0 .3cm ) ,小瘘采用荷包缝合修补 ,大瘘采用在Thiersch法的基础上 ,加以缝合技巧的改进 ,皮瓣整形覆盖 ,并用 6 0可吸收线缝合等。结果　手术一次成功率为 92 %。结论　手术方案的正确选择、缝合技巧的提高及缝线的选用等可提高修补成功率。     

全膝关节置换术中应用富血小板血浆的临床效果

目的评价全膝关节置换术中局部应用富血小板血浆的临床效果。 方法检索中国生物医学文献数据库(CBM)、中国期刊全文数据库(CNKI)、万方数据知识服务平台(WANFANG)、维普资讯中文期刊服务平台(VIP)4个中文数据库和PubMed、Web of Science、荷兰医学文摘数据库(Embase)、循证医学数据库(Cochrane Library)4个外文数据库中公开发表的关于全膝关节置换术中应用富血小板血浆临床疗效的相关文献,按照只纳入随机对照临床试验不纳入综述、非随机试验及动物实验等标准筛选文献,根据文献质量评估标准评价文献,采用标准格式收集数据,运用RevMan 5.3软件对4个结局指标即估计总失血量、膝关节活动度(ROM)、住院时间、术后并发症进行荟萃分析。 结果共纳入7篇随机对照试验,分析结果显示：富血小板血浆(PRP)组估计总失血量比对照组少[均数差(MD)＝-132.32,95%置信区间(CI)(-231.24,-33.40),P＝0.009];PRP组住院时间比对照组短[MD ＝-2.12,95% CI(-3.47,-0.76),P＝0.002];PRP组术后并发症发生率比对照组低[比值比(OR)＝0.45,95% CI(0.22,0.91),P＝0.03]; PRP组膝关节ROM与对照组差异不大[术后2 d：MD ＝0.80,95% CI(-2.87,4.46),P＝0.67;术后3 d：MD ＝1.23,95% CI (-4.12,6.58),P＝0.65;术后5 d：MD ＝2.93,95% CI(-0.60,6.46),P＝0.10;术后7 d：MD ＝2.09,95% CI(-4.63,8.82), P＝0.54;术后2周：MD ＝-0.88, 95% CI(-3.70,1.94),P＝0.54;术后6周：MD ＝3.93,95% CI(-5.17,13.02),P＝0.40;术后3个月：MD ＝1.00, 95% CI(-4.15,6.15),P＝0.70]。 结论全膝关节置换术中应用富血小板血浆时,估计总失血量减少、住院时间缩短、术后并发症发生率降低,但膝关节活动度无明显提高。     

Challenging abdominal incisional hernia repaired with platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. A case report

IntroductionThe necessity to develop new treatment options for challenging procedures in hernia surgery is becoming even more evident and tissue engineering and biological technologies offer even newer strategies to improve fascial healing. The present case reports a patient-tailored surgical technique performed to repair a grade IV abdominal incisional hernia, with a combined use of platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, implanted on a biological mesh.Presentation of the caseA 71 year-old female patient complained of an abdominal incisional hernia, complicated by enterocutaneous fistula, four-months following laparostomy. Contrast enhanced computed tomography showed an incisional hernia defect of 15.5 × 20 cm, with a subcutaneous abscess and an intestinal loop adherent to the anterior abdominal wall, with a concomitant enterocutaneous fistula. Surgery involved abdominal wall standardized technique closure, with in addition platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells implanted on a biological mesh. Two years follow up showed no recurrences of incisional hernia.DiscussionCoating surgical meshes with patient’s own cells may improve biocompatibility, by reducing inflammation and adhesion formation. Moreover, platelet-rich plasma is a good source of growth factors for wound healing, as well as a good medium for bone marrow multinucleate cells introduction into fascial repair.ConclusionThis approach is likely to improve abdominal wall repair in high grade (IV) incisional hernia, with the real possibility of improving prosthetic compatibility and reducing future recurrences. The authors agree with the necessity of further studies and trials to assure the safety profile and superiority of this procedure.     

Plantar fasciitis: A randomized comparative study of platelet rich plasma and low dose radiation in sportspersons

BackgroundPlantar Fasciitis makes up about 15% of patients requiring professional care due to foot symptoms. The treatment methods are numerous with none proving to be clearly superior to others. We aimed to compare two common treatment methods in search of the best treatment.MethodAll consecutive sportspersons presenting to our OPD with clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis underwent treatment consisting of stretching exercises, activity modification, and NSAID’s for 6 months. First 40 patients who did not respond to the treatment were divided randomly into two groups of 20 patients each, Group A (Platelet rich plasma − PRP) and Group B (low dose radiation − LDR). At the time of final follow-up (6 months) the mean improvement in the pain score (Visual-Analogue-Scale), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) and Plantar fascia thickness on ultrasound were compared.ResultSignificant improvement in all 3 parameters was noted at the time of final follow up within both groups. When compared to each other, the difference in outcome of both these Groups on the given 3 parameters came out to be insignificant (p > 0.05).ConclusionPRP is as good as LDR in patients with chronic recalcitrant plantar fasciitis not responding to physical therapy.     

Individual treatment strategy for single urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundUrethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) remains the most common complication after hypospadias repair, and the recurrence rate of UCF is still high if the surgical techniques is not chosen properly, which called for better approaches to this problem. UCF presents different clinical characteristics due to their different locations and sizes, therefore we retrospectively analyzed the effects of different surgical techniques on single UCF after hypospadias repair in order to reduce the recurrence rates of UCF.MethodsA total of 602 patients diagnosed with UCF after hypospadias repair from January 2014 to December 2021 were enrolled. Baseline clinical characteristics such as age of patients, UCF location, size, surgical techniques were recorded. Patients were followed up in the outpatient clinic. The recurrence of UCF was defined as outcomes. Patients were divided according to the location of the UCF into a coronal UCF group and a non-coronal UCF group, which was then further classified according to the diameter of the UCF. The surgical technique and the recurrence rate of different types of UCF were analyzed and summarized.ResultsA total of 425 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria and 71 patients (16.7%) had recurrent UCF. Five surgical techniques were used to repair the UCF, namely tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty, Mathieu urethroplasty, double ligation, simple classical closure and trap-door procedure. The recurrence rate was 24.1%, 14.3%, 15.1%, 16.7%, and 22.2%, respectively. TIP or Mathieu urethroplasty is recommended for patients with coronal UCF with glans dehiscence or patients with coronal UCF diameter ≥4 mm without glans dehiscence. In patients with coronal UCF without glans dehiscence, double ligation is recommended for small UCF with diameter <2 mm, and simple classical closure is recommended for UCF with diameter 2–<4 mm. In patients with non-coronal UCF, double ligation is recommended for UCF with diameter <3 mm, and simple classical closure is recommended for UCF with diameter ≥3 mm.ConclusionsSingle UCF can be classified according to the location and size of the UCF. Different types of UCF should be treated with more appropriate individualized strategies, which can effectively reduce the recurrence rate of UCF.     

Long‐term results of surgery plus fibrin sealant for anal fistula

Aim The long‐term recurrence rate of fibrin glue treatment was analysed in patients with trans‐sphincteric cryptoglandular fistula operated by a two‐phase procedure: (i) fistulectomy with seton placement; (ii) fibrin sealant (Tissucol Duo®, Baxter) insertion in the track. Method Clinical data were collected prospectively for all patients operated between 2004 and 2010. The statistical association of clinical variables and recurrence was analysed and a disease‐free curve was constructed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results Twenty‐eight consecutive patients (mean age 48.3 ± 13.3 years; 22 men) were enrolled in the study. Middle and high trans‐sphincteric fistulae were diagnosed in 20 (71.4%) and eight (28.6%) patients. Seven (25%) had secondary track formation. The mean interval between the first operation and the fibrin sealant treatment was 12.5 ± 7.6 months. There were no complications related to the procedure. Nine (32.1%, 95% CI 17.9–50.7%) patients developed recurrence between 3 and 27 months after fibrin sealant treatment. Disease‐free curves showed that the highest probability of recurrence occurred in the first 2 years. No incontinence was found at a mean follow‐up of 20.6 (3–60) months among the 67.8% patients with no evidence of recurrence. Conclusion Fibrin sealant is safe and simple. The healing rate is satisfactory without the risk of incontinence.     

富血小板血浆对大鼠游离脂肪移植物存活的作用

目的 探讨富血小板血浆(platelet rich plasma,PRP)对游离脂肪移植物存活的作用.方法 采用自身配对设计,获取Wistar大鼠脂肪组织和PRP,于24只Wistar大鼠背部分别注射以下3组脂肪移植物:A组为空白对照组;B组为PRP未激活组;C组为PRP激活组.术后1、2、3个月各处死8只大鼠,分别获取3组移植物标本,进行形态学和组织学观察,标本行HE染色,于光镜下观察脂肪组织存活情况,并进行病理学分析.结果 形态学结果显示,术后1个月C组移植物直径明显大于A组(P＜0.05),而移植物体积比较,3组间差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).组织学结果显示,术后1个月,C组小血管密度明显高于A组(P＜0.05),术后3个月,C组炎性反应明显轻于A组和B组(P＜0.05),而其他病理观察指标:脂肪组织完整性、纤维化程度及囊腔空泡形成,在各时间段3组间差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 在Wistar大鼠模型上PRP对游离脂肪移植物的存活无明显促进作用.     

Mesh fixation with human fibrin glue (Tissucol) in open tension-free inguinal hernia repair: a preliminary report

Background: The Lichtenstein technique for inguinal hernia repair is easy to learn and associated with few complications. However, recent studies have suggested that this technique is inferior to some ‘sutureless’ repair systems in terms of perceived difficulty, operating time, surgeon satisfaction, etc. Methods: We employed a sutureless Lichtenstein technique in 80 consecutive patients with primary unilateral inguinal hernia, to assess patient and trainee surgeon outcomes. Human fibrin glue was used in place of conventional sutures. Results: The mean operating time was 36 min and all patients were discharged 5–6 h after the operation. On a 100-point visual analogue scale, the surgeons rated the difficulty of the operation as low (mean score, 31), and perceived satisfaction as high (mean score, 84). No complications were observed at 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: This study confirms the efficacy of mesh fixation with human fibrin glue, and supports the viability of a sutureless Lichtenstein procedure.     

镍钛记忆合金尿道支架管在尿道下裂修复中的应用（附128例报告）

目的：探讨镍钛记忆合金尿道支架管在尿道下裂修复中的优点及应用前景。方法：2007年1月～2010年6月应用镍钛记忆合金尿道支架管作为尿道支架修复128例尿道下裂患者,均为一期尿道重建。结果：术后1～3个月自行脱落或拔除尿道支架,所有患者随访6～24个月,7例出现尿瘘,1例术后发生尿道狭窄,其余均获成功,手术成功率为93．75％（120／128）。结论：镍钛记忆合金尿道支架管可有效预防尿道下裂术后尿瘘及尿道狭窄的发生。     

The repair of experimentally produced defects in rabbit articular cartilage by autologous chondrocyte transplantation

Using the knee joints of New Zealand White rabbits, a baseline study was made to determine the intrinsic capability of cartilage for healing defects that do not fracture the subchondral plate. A second experiment examined the effect of autologous chondrocytes grown in vitro on the healing rate of these defects. To determine whether any of the reconstituted cartilage resulted from the chondrocyte graft, a third experiment was conducted involving grafts with chondrocytes that had been labeled prior to grafting with a nuclear tracer. Results were evaluated using both qualitative and quantitative light microscopy. Macroscopic results from grafted specimens displayed a marked decrease in synovitis and other degenerative changes. In defects that had received transplants, a significant amount of cartilage was reconstituted (82%) compared to ungrafted controls (18%). Autoradiography on reconstituted cartilage showed that there were labeled cells incorporated into the repair matrix.