Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Healing of Sphincteroplasty: An Experiment in Rabbit Model

Background: the inability to manage stool release, fecal incontinence, is a condition with severe negative effects on quality of life. the use of platelet-rich plasma (prp) may improve the healing of the anal sphincter after surgery. the current study investigated the healing effects of prp application after surgical repair of the anal sphincter in rabbits as an animal model for human studies. methods: twenty-four new zealand rabbits were randomly allocated into four groups based on the time of sampling after sphincteroplasty (one or three weeks) and the use or lack of use of prp. sphincterotomy followed by sphincteroplasty was performed on all the animals; autologous prp was prepared and administered at a dose of 0.5 ml per animal in the prp groups. the healing scores of the sphincters were compared across the groups using a histological scoring system. results: in the rabbits sacrificed and sampled after one week, the mean histological healing score was significantly higher in the group with prp application relative to the group for which prp was withheld (18.6±0.8 vs. 13.0±1.8, respectively; p=0.01). however, no significant difference was detected between the healing scores of the prp group and the control group when sampling was performed three weeks after surgery (19.0±0.0 vs. 18.5±0.8, respectively; p=0.17). conclusion: our findings indicate that although prp can accelerate wound healing after sphincter repair in an animal model, its effect over time, specifically after three weeks, is insignificant.