Platelet‐rich fibrin prevents postoperative intestinal adhesion

Abstract Platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) was prepared from the blood of BALB/C inbred mice to explore potential effects on postoperative intestinal adhesion. A murine model of intestinal adhesion characterized by abdominal wall defect/and cecum damage was established by scraping caecum serosa and cutting peritoneum and muscles in the abdominal wall. The wound was covered with PRF (group A), sodium hyaluronate (group B), or left alone (blank control; group C). All animals were monitored for 28 days. The incidence of adhesion was 35.0, 66.7, and 73.7% in groups A, B, and C, respectively. The incidence of adhesion in group A was significantly lower than that in group C ( p < .05). Histopathologically, severity of fibrosis and the number of fibroblasts or inflammatory cells in group A were lower than those in groups B and C ( p < .05), whereas the number of mesothelial cells was higher ( p = .001). Furthermore, the severity of fibrosis and number of fibroblasts or inflammatory cells were lower in low grade than those in high grade of adhesion ( p < .05), whereas the number of mesothelial cells was higher ( p < .05). Collectively, PRF applied to abdominal surgery may reduce the incidence of intestinal adhesion by promoting proliferation of mesothelial cells whereas inhibiting proliferation of fibroblasts and infiltration of inflammatory cells.