Investigation of the effect of internal plate application and PRP use on early healing in tibial fractures in dogs

Traumatic events such as car accidents, animal attacks, or gunshot wounds, lead to fractures in long bones of dogs. The time it takes for the bone to recover has a significant impact on how well the animal lives. The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinically and radiologically the effect of PRP treatment in combined with internal plate application in tibial fractures in dogs on early healing. The study group included 12 dogs of different breeds, sexes and age groups, who were brought to Balikesir University Faculty of Veterinary Surgery Clinic and Çanakkale Anka Veterinary Clinic with complaints of lameness in the hind extremities, and who had fractures in the tibia bone by clinical and radiological evaluations. Average age; 24.92 months, and their average weight is 23.08 kg. According to the information given by the relatives of the patients, it was determined that all (100%) of the fractures in dogs were formed as a result of traffic accidents. The tibia fractures of 12 dogs were stabilized with the internal plate method, and fracture fixation was achieved by using DCP, LC-DCP and Reconstruction plates suitable for bone length and thickness. Animals are divided into two groups. After the operation, 6 dogs in the first group were poured PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) solution prepared with the Easy PRP Kit, on the plate without closing the incision line. PRP was not applied to 6 dogs in the second group. X-rays of the patients were taken 5 times in two positions (A/P and M/L) before and after the operation (10th days, 20th days, 30th days). The gray areas of callus formed on these x-rays were measured and recorded, and the resulting data were compared with the Mann Whitney-U Test. Callus gray areas, which we observed in the radiological examination and obtained as numerical data in the measurements; It was found that it was more prominent in the radiographs on the 10th and 20th days in those who underwent PRP compared to those who did not apply PRP. On the 30th day, there was no significant difference in the data obtained. No local or systemic infection was observed in animals after plaque application and PRP use. After that, all animals were discharged healthy without lameness. According to the data obtained in the study; It was thought that the application of internal plate on the tibia bones of dogs is an effective method and easy to apply due to the anatomical structure of the bone. It was thought that the use of PRP had positive effects on fracture healing and early callus formation, and it was observed that it did not cause any complications on the tissues since it is an autologous solution. Based on these reasons, it was concluded that using PRP in addition to internal plate application in tibial fractures can be used to accelerate healing in the early period.