Evaluation of Survival of Subdermal Plexus Skin Flaps in 8 Cats After Injection of Platelet Rich Plasma

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma injection on the survival of experimentally developed subdermal plexus skin flaps in cats. Two flaps, 2 cm wide and 6 cm long were created bilaterally in the dorsal midline in 8 cats. Each flap was randomized to 1 of 2 groups: platelet-rich plasma injection and control. After flap development, the flaps were immediately placed back on the recipient bed. Then 1.8 mL of platelet-rich plasma was equally injected into 6 different parts of the treatment flap. All flaps were evaluated macroscopically daily and on days 0, 7, 14, and 25 by planimetry, Laser Doppler flowmetry, and histology. Mean flap survival on day 14 was 80.437 % (±22.745) for the treatment group and 66.516 % (±24,12) for the control group with no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P = .158). Histologically, a significant difference was found between the base of the PRP and the control flap in edema score on day 25 (P = .034). In conclusion, there is no evidence to support the use of platelet-rich plasma in subdermal plexus flaps in cats. However, the use of platelet-rich plasma may aid in reducing edema of subdermal plexus flaps.