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. 2025 Jul 16;30(1):638.
doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02889-6.

Locally applied platelet-rich fibrin enhances healing of experimental tympanic membrane perforations in rats: an experimental study

Ahmet Koder  1 , Erdoğan Bulut  2 , Murat Arslan  2 , Onur Ersoy  3
Affiliations

Locally applied platelet-rich fibrin enhances healing of experimental tympanic membrane perforations in rats: an experimental study

Ahmet Koder et al. Eur J Med Res. .

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of locally applied platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on experimentally induced traumatic tympanic membrane perforations in rats.

Methods: The study comprised 24 young-adult Sprague Dawley rats (48 ears) randomly allocated into three groups of eight rats each: control group (no intervention), myringotomy group (standard perforation), and myringotomy with PRF application group. Otomicroscopic examinations were performed on days 7 and 14 to evaluate tympanic membrane healing and myringosclerosis development. Two rats from each experimental group were randomly selected for killing on day 7, with the remaining specimens collected on day 14. Histopathological analysis assessed acute and chronic inflammation, lamina propria edema and congestion, sclerosis, fibroblastic reaction, and squamous epithelial layer thickness.

Results: The PRF-treated group demonstrated superior healing outcomes compared to the myringotomy-only group. By day 14, complete tympanic membrane closure was achieved in all eight ears of the PRF group versus six of eight ears in the myringotomy group. Electrophysiological measurements revealed significantly improved signal-to-noise ratios in the PRF group, approaching normal levels by day 14 (p < 0.05). Histological examination showed reduced inflammation and better-organized tissue architecture in PRF-treated specimens.

Conclusion: PRF application significantly enhanced tympanic membrane healing, accelerated closure time, and improved histological outcomes in traumatic perforations. These findings suggest PRF represents a promising therapeutic option for traumatic tympanic membrane perforation repair, warranting further clinical investigation.

Keywords: Platelet-rich fibrin; Platelet-rich plasma; Tympanic membrane; Tympanic membrane perforation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Trakya University Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments (protocol code: 2023/18, decision number: 2023.10.03). The study was conducted in accordance with the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0. All experimental procedures involving animals were performed under strict ethical standards, and no human participants were involved in this research. Consent for publication: This study did not involve any human participants, human data, or human tissue. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Otomicroscopic evaluations in the myringotomy*
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Tympanic membranes on day 7. Control group, right (A) and left (B) ear. Myringotomy (MRG) group, right (C) and left ear (D). MRG + platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) group, right (E) and left ear (F). ML: Mucosal layer, EL: Epidermal layer, Lp: Lamina propria. Magnification: X200
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Tympanic membranes on day 14. Control group, right (A) and left (B) ear. Myringotomy (MRG) group, right (C) and left ear(D). MRG + platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) group, right (E) and left ear (F). ML: mucosal layer, EL: epidermal layer, Lp: lamina propria. Magnification: X200
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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