Plasma platelet-rich autogenous healing tendon of the gastrocnemius muscle in rabbits

Abstract

Tendon lesions may involve the partial or total section of the common calcaneal tendon and cause postural changes of the member. This study evaluated, after 45 and 90 postoperative days (PO), the repair of the tendon of gastrocnemius muscle of rabbits with topical application of autologous platelet concentrate. Twelve adult rabbits were divided into two groups (n = 6) undergoing cardiac puncture and collection of 10 ml of blood to obtain platelet rich-plasma (PRP). Animals of both groups had a transverse tenotomy in the middle third of the lateral belly of the gastrocnemius tendon and muscle that was approximated with modified Kessler suture and nylon thread. In the animals of the treated group it was applied the average of 490.644 platelets / uL of PRP, per animal over the tendon synthesis. The treated group showed a higher amount of collagen fibers than the control one, and at 90 PO days the intensity of collagen was higher than at 45 days with more fibroblasts in the control than in treated one. The administration of plasma autogenous platelet concentrate in the repair of the gastrocnemius tendon of rabbits stimulates and organizes the repair process and causes early production of collagen fibers.