Prevention of Ocular Scarring Post Glaucoma Filtration Surgery Using the Inflammatory Cell and Platelet Binding Modulator Saratin in a Rabbit Model

Clinical Relevance: Late complications can occur with use of current antimetabolites to prevent scarring following glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS). Safer, more targeted, anti-fibrosis agents are sought. Objectives: The protein saratin has been shown to exhibit anti-fibrotic and anti-thrombotic properties in response to injury, but had not been used for glaucoma surgery. The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy of saratin with that of the widely accepted mitomycin-C (MMC) in prolonging bleb survival following GFS in the rabbit model. Two saratin delivery routes were compared; a single intraoperative topical application versus a combination of intraoperative topical application with two additional postoperative injections. Methods: Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits underwent GFS and received either intraoperative topical saratin, intraoperative topical saratin plus two injections on post-operative days 4 and 8, balanced saline solution (BSS), or MMC. The bleb tissues and their elevation durations were compared based on clinical and histological findings. Results: Rabbits receiving topical+injections of saratin had a mean bleb survival of 33.668.5 days, significantly higher than the negative BSS controls, which averaged 17.466.0 days (p = 0.018). No improvement over BSS was seen for rabbits receiving topical saratin only (15.564.8 days, p = 0.749). Rabbits receiving saratin did not develop bleb avascularity and thinning associated with MMC treatment and there were no apparent clinical signs of toxicity

Efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma in Sinus Lift Augmentation

The present study aims to evaluate and analyze the efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) with hydroxyapatite crystals for maxillary sinus augmentation procedures. A comparative study of 10 patients with a mean average age of 35 years with less than 5 mm of residual alveolar bone was conducted. Six patients underwent Lateral sinus lift procedure with allografts (platelet rich plasma and hydroxyappatite crystals) and four patients underwent the same procedure but with autografts (symphyseal). Follow-up for a period of 3 years was done. The patients were assessed for postoperative pain, sinusitis, oro-antral communication, epistaxis, graft rejection, infection and potential loss of bone and teeth. During the 3 years period of follow-up there were no complications recorded. A mean post-operative augmented height of 15 mm was achieved in all the patients. Maxillary sinus lift procedure using a mixture of hydroxyapatite crystals and platelet rich plasma was found to be very effective in increasing the height of residual alveolar bone when compared to the use of autografts alone