Platelet-rich plasma for laryngotracheal reconstruction: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study was designed to evaluate the graft healing effect of topical application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) in a rabbit model. STUDY DESIGN: It is a prospective randomized control animal study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen healthy New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to two groups of eight animals each. The control group underwent LTR with anterior auricular cartilage graft. The PRP group underwent the same surgical procedure plus PRP application over the anastomosis and surgical field. Two animals in the PRP group and two animals in control group died due to severe respiratory distress on postoperative days 10, 12, 15, and 18. Six rabbits (n = 3 for control group and n = 3 for PRP group) were sacrificed at 4 weeks, and six rabbits (n = 3 for control group and n = 3 for PRP group) were sacrificed at 8 weeks. Laryngotracheal regions were evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: Macroscopically, the average anteroposterior and lateral diameter of the reconstructed region and the degree of lumen patency on postoperative 4th week and 8th week were not statistically different among two groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of any of the microscopic findings when the analysis was made separately. However, analysis of the total number of rabbits has shown that new cartilage formation and angiogenesis were more pronounced in PRP group than control group. CONCLUSIONS: Application of PRP contributed to better healing in airway surgery by promoting a release of growth factors that stimulate new cartilage formation and angiogenesis.

Effect of Body Mass Index on Auricular Morphology and Auditory Functions.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and the morphometric properties of auricula and its acoustic gain characteristics. A total of 45 participants between 18 and 45 years of age were enrolled into the study. Participants' height and weight measurements were recorded for the BMI calculation. On both sides, the morphometric properties of the auricula were measured and recorded. Additionally, the participants were subjected to multidirectional dynamic real ear measurements (REMs) to specify the intensity and frequency values of the maximum hearing gain. Participants consisted of 24 women and 21 men. The mean BMI was 23.42. The mean auricular area was 22.70 cm2. Statistically significant positive correlation was found between the auricular area and BMI (r = 0.427, P = .03). The mean postauricular sulcus angle was 20.99°. The mastoid-helix distance was 16.07 mm. There was no statistically significant correlation between BMI level and postauricular sulcus angle and mastoid-helix distance (P > .05). The mean dynamic REM measurement was evaluated. The maximum acoustic gain at anterior, lateral, and posterior vectorial stimulation was calculated as 20.9, 24.2, and 20.7 dB Sound Presure Level (SPL), respectively. Statistically significant negative correlation was found between the three directions acoustic gain level and BMI in the statistical examination (r = -0.365, r = -0.386, r = -0.453, respectively, and P < .05 for all). The results of acoustic gain frequency were 2967.4, 2963, and 2934 Hz, respectively. There was no statistically significant correlation between acoustic gain frequency and BMI (P > .05). When participants were grouped according to their BMI, participants with a BMI >25 had a statistically significantly bigger auricular area and lower maximum acoustic gain when compared with those with BMI <25 (P < .05). We found that the auricular area increased with BMI. We think that this is related to soft tissue thickening of the auricula related to high BMI. In addition, we found that the acoustic gain level decreased inversely with BMI. We believe that the decrease in acoustic gain is due to the increase of acoustic resistance after the increase of soft tissue thickness. In conclusion, we think that BMI has a negative effect on auditory function according to findings in our study.

Evaluation of the Effect of Topical Application of Nigella sativa on Acute Radiation-Induced Nasal Mucositis.

The goal of this study was to demonstrate the effect of radiotherapy (RT) on nasal mucosa in rats and to evaluate the radioprotective effects of the topical application of black seed oil (Nigella sativa [NS]) to treat acute radiation-induced nasal mucositis.A total of 18 rats were randomized into 3 groups, with 6 animals per group. The rats in group 1 were topically administered saline in the nasal cavity after sham irradiation. Group 2 received saline at the same dose after irradiation. Group 3 was given NS after irradiation. The rats in groups 2 and 3 were irradiated with a single dose of 40 Gy to the nasal and paranasal area. Only one drop of saline (0.05 mL) was applied to each nostril in the first, second, and third days after RT in groups 1 and 2. One drop of cold press NS (0.05 mL) was applied to each nostril in group 3. Fourteen days after irradiation, the nasal mucosal tissues were excised for histopathological evaluation. Vascular dilatation, inflammatory cell infiltration, superficial erosion, and formation of exudates were classified according to the severity.No evidence of mucositis was observed in group 1. Of all the parameters the only statistically significant difference between groups 2 and 3 were observed for "superficial erosion' (P < 0.05). Overall microscopic observations in the NS-treated group were better than in group 2.The preliminary results of our study have shown that local application of NS to the nasal mucosa may be an effective treatment of acute nasal mucositis due to RT.