Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous product having a high concentration of growth factors well known to stimulate different tissues healing. This study was made to determine the effect of PRP on healing of femoral cancellous bone defect in rabbit.

Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted on 16 male adult New Zealand white rabbits. The animals were divided into the control group and the treated group including 8 rabbits in each group. Under general anesthesia, using a dental drill, a hole 4 mm in diameter 5 mm in depth was made in the inner aspect of the medial condyle of left femor. In the treated group the created hole was filled with autologous PRP. In the control group, the defect was left untreated. The bone healing was evaluated histopathologically at the end of the first and the second month post surgery. In addition, the samples were assessed histomorphometrically 2 month post surgery.

Results: In the control group, the defect seemed to be filled with adipose tissue including sparse hematogenic cells 1 month after surgery. A poor osteogenic activity and some osteoblasts were visible two month post surgery. In the treated group, within 1 month, a mass of osteoblasts as well as neoformed vessels occupied the gap 1 month after surgery. One month later we observed increased young bone trabeculas in addition to a more compact bone neoformation.

Conclusion: We concluded that PRP with some characteristics such as ostegoenesis and osteoinduction provide a more rapid regeneration of bone defects.