Experimental esophageal reconstruction in dogs using autologous platelet-rich plasma-augmented acellular amniotic membrane scaffold.

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment of esophageal diseases in pets is associated with high morbidity and postoperative complications. Depending on the degree of tissue loss, the excision may be replaced with a patch or segmental esophagoplasty. Autografts are commonly used for esophageal repair. Autografts from vital organs expose the animal to unnecessary laparotomies or surgery on healthy organs. This has led to the development of several biological materials for esophageal repair.

AIM: This study investigated the use of acellular amniotic membrane as a support structure for esophageal reconstruction in dogs supplemented with platelet-rich plasma.

METHODS

This experimental study was conducted with 15 mongrel dogs. The patients were divided into three equal groups: the first group was treated with acellular amniotic membrane accompanied by autologous platelet-rich plasma, the second group was treated with acellular amniotic membrane only, and the third group utilized a pedicled flap of the sternohyoideus muscle alone for closing a circumferential esophageal defect.

RESULTS

The dogs were evaluated 30 days after treatment, and the esophageal defects in the first group healed better than those in the other groups.

CONCLUSION

The use of acellular amniotic membrane as a bioscaffold, combined with platelet-rich plasma, may be a viable option for esophageal reconstruction given the encouraging results.