Effects of a highly concentrated platelet-rich plasma on the bone repair using non-critical defects in the calvaria of rabbits Efeitos do plasma rico em plaquetas altamente concentrado no reparo ósseo, utilizando defeitos não-críticos na calvária de coelhos

PURPOSE: To verify the effect of highly concentrated platelet-rich plasma (hPRP) in the pathways of bone repair using non-critical defects in the calvaria of rabbits. METHODS: The hPRP was produced from collected venous blood of 21 rabbits. Four non-critical defects of 8 mm in diameter were created on the calvaria of each animal. The defects were all treated differently: autogenous particled bone (APB, group 1), autogenous particled bone associated with hPRP (APB + hPRP, group 2), isolated hPRP (group 3), and blood clot (control, group 4). Animals were submitted to euthanasia on the 2nd, 4th and 6th week postoperatively. Histological and histomorphometric analysis were carried through. RESULTS: After two weeks, groups 1 and 2 were in more advanced stage of repair than 3 and 4. At this period, comparing the groups 1 and 2, no significant differences were found between both, which also happened between the groups 3 and 4. However, after four and six weeks, the group 1 showed a more advanced stage of repair among all the other studied groups, while group 2 was in more advanced signs of bone repair than groups 3 and 4. Comparing groups 3 and 4, after four and six weeks, the least advanced stage of bone repair was found to be within group 3. CONCLUSION: The use of a highly concentrated PRP was considered prejudicial to the repair of non-critical defects in the calvaria of rabbits, either in the association of autogenous particled bone, when compared to autogenous particled bone alone, or in its isolated form, when compared to blood clot (control).<br>OBJETIVO: Verificar os efeitos do plasma rico em plaquetas altamente concentrado (hPRP) sobre o reparo ósseo, utilizando defeitos não críticos na calvária de coelhos. MÉTODOS: O concentrado de plaquetas foi produzido a partir de sangue venoso coletado de 21 coelhos. Quatro defeitos não críticos de 8 mm de diâmetro foram criados na calvária de cada animal. Os defeitos foram tratados de modo distinto: osso autógeno particulado (grupo 1), osso autógeno particulado associado com hPRP (grupo 2), hPRP de modo isolado (grupo 3) e coágulo sangüineo (controle, grupo 4). Os animais foram mortos na 2º, 4º e 6º semanas do pós-operatório. Análises histológicas e histomorfométricas foram realizadas. RESULTADOS: Em duas semanas, os grupos 1 e 2 estavam num estado de reparação mais adiantado que os grupos 3 e 4. Neste período, quando comparados os grupos 1 e 2, não foram observadas diferenças estatísticamente significativas, o mesmo acontecendo quando a comparação foi entre os grupos 3 e 4. Após quatro e seis semanas, contudo, o grupo1 mostrou um estágio mais avançado de reparo, isto quando comparado com todos os outros grupos estudados, enquanto o grupo 2 apresentou sinais mais avançados de reparo que os grupos 3 e 4. Comparando os grupos 3 e 4, após 4 e 6 semanas, um estágio menos avançado do reparo ósseo foi observado no grupo 3. CONCLUSÃO: O uso do plasma rico em plaquetas altamente concentrado foi considerado prejudicial ao reparo de defeitos não críticos na calvária de coelhos, tanto quando em associação com enxerto ósseo autógeno em partículas (quando comparado com enxerto ósseo em partículas de forma isolada) quanto em sua forma isolada (quando comparado com o coágulo sangüíneo-controle)

Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

Background: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19\ub78 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6\ub76 and 2\ub74 per cent respectively before, but 23\ub77 and 5\ub73 per cent, during the pandemic (both P < 0\ub7001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2