Summary— We describe 4 cases of conservative management of vesicovaginal fistulas occurring as a complication of abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy. In all cases treatment involved simple bladder drainage for periods ranging from 19 to 54 days. At follow‐up all patients remained dry. Such spontaneous closure of vesicovaginal fistulas following adequate bladder drainage has not been previously reported.

The high prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in athletic horses constitutes to be a challenge to the racing industry and a source of major concern to animal welfare. Both experimental and clinical evidence indicate that the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising effector of repair in a variety of pulmonary conditions. The present study evaluated the effect of intrabronchial instillation of PRP on EIPH endoscopic scores from 37 Thoroughbred racehorses. Inclusion criteria were for animals to be EIPH-positive in, at least, two consecutive post-exercise endoscopic exams and to receive 250mg of furosemide IV four hours before racing. Animals were randomly assigned into 3 groups: placebo, control, and PRP instillation. All 37 Thoroughbred racehorses included had EIPH endoscopic scores pre- and post- treatment compared by statistical analysis. The bleeding score from the group receiving PRP was significantly lower than in the control and placebo groups. No adverse effects were observed in any animal during or after the experiment. It was possible to conclude that the intrabronchial instillation of autologous PRP was effective in reducing EIPH scores in racehorses receiving furosemide and that this bioproduct can be considered as a promising coadjuvant in controlling EIPH in athletic horses.

RESUMO.-[Protocolos para o preparo de plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) em cavalos Quarto de Milha.] Este estudo comparou dois protocolos de preparo de plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) e avaliou a associação entre dois métodos de contagem plaquetária -um manual e o outro automático através de um estudo prospectivo. Sangue venoso de oito equinos da raça Quarto de Milha foi coletado e em seguida foi centrifugado duas vezes utilizando-se dois protocolos distintos: um com descanso antes da primeira centrifugação e outro após a segunda centrifugação. A contagem plaquetária ao início, no meio e ao final dos protocolos foi realizada manualmente e pelo método automatizado, seguida de comparação entre os dois métodos. Para investigar a degranulação plaquetária ocorrida durante o preparo do PRP, o fator de crescimento vascular endotelial (VEGF) foi mensurado em cada estágio dos protocolos. O método utilizando o descanso da amostra antes da primeira centrifugação proporcionou a obtenção de um PRP mais concentrado, além de o estudo verificar que ambos os métodos de contagem plaquetária (manual e automatizado) ABSTRACT.-Miranda S., Mello Costa M.F., Rebouças N., Ramos M.T., Lessa D.A.B. & Alencar N.X. 2019. Protocols for preparation of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in Quarter Horses. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 39 (8):614-621. This study compared two protocols for preparation of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and evaluated the association between manual and automated methods for platelet count using a prospective study design. Eight clinically healthy Quarter Horses had venous blood samples collected at rest. After collection, blood samples were centrifuged twice, using two different protocols including a period of sample resting, either at the start or at the end of the protocol. Platelet counting at the start of the protocol, during, and after obtaining PRP was conducted manually or with an automated counter, followed by comparison of the two methods. In order to investigate platelet degranulation during the protocol, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured at each preparation stage. The protocol with sample resting before centrifugation yielded a more concentrated PRP, and the study verified that both manual and automated methods are comparable and can be used interchangeably for platelet counting. VEGF concentration did not differ significantly between protocols, or among protocol stages.The results indicate that choice of protocol for PRP preparation will affect the quantity of platelets in the final product, although platelet degranulation was not observed as evidenced by the stable VEGF concentrations measured. A larger yield of non-degranulated platelets in PRP is desirable since more α-granules will be present, therefore Protocol II is recommended. Both manual and automated counts reliably allow clinicians to obtain platelet counts and the choice of utilizing a manual or automated method is unlikely to interfere with evaluation of the final PRP product.

distally to the opening, all diverticula were opened widely

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous biological product harvested by consecutive centrifugations of whole blood and separation of plasma in a stepwise protocol. PRP has been successfully used to stimulate healing in orthopedic and dermatological conditions, both in humans and animals. The principle is the fact that α- granules inside platelets contain a high concentration of growth factors, that once released can interfere with cellular communication and speed up healing. Standardization of PRP requires establishing a gold standard for the preparation and evaluation of the product, especially considering that platelet concentration and, therefore, growth factor concentration, might vary due to a number of variables. Factors such as age, gender, race or breed, and immune status of the patient might interfere with PRP quality and with treatment results, although little is known about such interferences. This research investigated the effect of breed/species and gender in platelet concentration in autologous PRP from horses and mules. The results demonstrate that Quarter Horses provided PRP with the greatest amount of platelets, although mules had a higher concentration percentages in relation to the initial platelet counts.