Evaluation of the osteogenic potentials of the platelet-rich plasma and autologous cancellous bone grafts on ulna ostectomies of Nigerian local dogs

The osteogenic effects of the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and autologous cancellous bone grafts (ACBG) on caudolateral ulna ostectomies were evaluated in 12 Nigerian local dogs. Partial ostectomy of the caudal cortical surface of the left ulna was performed under general anaesthesia. They were assigned into four groups namely platelet-rich plasma group (PRPG), cancellous bone graft group (CBG), platelet-rich plasma/cancellous bone graft group (PRP/CBG) and control group (CG). The defects were treated as follows: PRPG with autologously PRP, CBG with autologous bone graft, PRP/CBG with both autologous PRP, and bone graft and the CG with normal saline before closure. Post-treatment radiographs were taken at weeks 1, 6 and 8. Callus proliferation, mineralization and the radiographic optical densities (ROD) of the osteoid were compared. The PRP/CBG defects showed superior osteogenic indices. The PRP group, however, performed better than the CBG group. This study established that for optimal osteogenesis, concurrent application of PRP and CBG should be advocated.