Evaluating the Feasibility of Esophagotomy Suture Line Reinforcement Using Platelet Rich Fibrin Membrane and Its Effect on Wound Healing

Objective- This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using platelet rich fibrin membrane as a novel on-lay patching biomaterial in canine esophagotomy and its effects on esophageal wound healing. Design- Experimental study. Animals- Eight adult mixed breed dogs of both sexes equally allocated to control and treatment groups. Procedures- Longitudinal incisions measuring 3 cm were made in the cervical esophagus of all dogs (2 incisions in each dog). All incisions were sutured and on-lay patching was performed in four dogs using platelet rich fibrin. After 28 days, wound healing was assessed by macroscopic, histological and biochemical methods Results- Patching resulted in less adhesion formation (18.24 vs. 61.67 mm, p<0.05) and increase in tissue hydroxyproline content (91.31 vs. 74.31 mg, p>0.05). Histologically, platelet rich fibrin membrane mostly influenced wound healing in the outer layers of the esophagus particularly the muscular layer although a slightly better wound healing was observed overall. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Platelet rich fibrin membrane could be used as an alternative patching biomaterial in esophageal surgery although further investigations needs to be carried out particularly in clinical cases