Effects of cilostazol on fracture healing: an experimental study

Objective: The aim of this experimental study was to examine the clinical, radiological and histological effects of cilostazol on fracture healing. Methods: A total of 60 Wistar albino male rats were divided into 2 groups: the study group (cilostazol) and the control group. Under general anesthesia, using a blunt-ended guillotine, standard closed shaft fractures were formed on the 3-point principle in the left femurs. Starting on the same day after the fracture was formed until sacrifice, the study group animals were administered with cilostazol (50 mg/kg/day, oral tablet). An equal number of rats from both control and study groups were sacrificed on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after fracture formation, and the bone union tissue was examined clinically, radiologically and histologically. Results: The use of cilostazol was not determined to have any significant effect clinically or radiologically on fracture healing (p>0.05). According to the histological findings, at the end of the first week, the amount of union in the cilostazol group was observed to be significantly greater (p<0.05). At the end of the third week, no significant difference was determined between the control and study groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: In the long term, cilostazol did not show any positive effect on fracture healing clinically, radiologically or histologically.