Objective: To assess the effectiveness of Platlate riched fibrin (PRF) and bone marrow derived mononuclear cells (BMNCs) in regeneration of osteochondral defects in rabbits.
Design: A randomized-controlled experimental study.
Animals: Forty-eight adult New Zealand rabbits were allocated randomly into four groups (n=12).
Procedures: An osteochondoral defect of a 4 mm diameter and 5 mm depth was made in the trochlear groove of the left stifle joints. The defect was left for spontaneous healing in group A, filled with Platlate riched fibrin (PRF) in group B, filled with BMNCs in group C and combination of PRF and BMNCs in group D. Healing of the defects was assessed grossly and microscopically at 3, 6 and 12 weeks postoperative.
Results: Grossly, the degree of defect repair, integration to border zone and appearance of defect area were significantly higher in group D than other groups (P≤0.05). Microscopically, surface architecture, tissue morphology, cell distribution and safranin O staining of the matrix were significantly higher in group D than other groups (P≤0.05).
Conclusion and clinical relevance: The results of the present study indicated that, combination of PRF and BMNCs encourages quicker and better healing of osteochondral defects.