Role of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) in healing of chronic wounds

Abstrakt

Background: Chronic ulcers are a big health problem worldwide. Having a great impact at personal, social and professional levels. The use of autologous Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a major advance in the treatment of these ulcers as an easy and cost-effective method. Platelets provide numerous growth factors enhancing tissue healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma in healing of chronic wounds.

Methods: Autologous PRP was prepared from whole blood by blood bank department. Fifteen (15) patients with non-healing ulcers of different etiologies, whom they met our inclusion criteria, were treated with PRP injected weekly for a maximum of six injections locally into their wounds. The ulcer dimensions were measured every week. The follow-up period was 12 weeks after last injection.

Results: The mean age of the study population was 55.13±2.68 years ranging from 28 to 65 years. There was a reduction in mean ulcer area from day zero of 71.33±57.09 to 29.53±32.08 cm2 at 6th week of induction into treatment from ist injection. Average improvement in the area of ulcers were 66.05%   at the end of 6 weeks and this improvement is statistically significant (p<0.001) (Friedman test). Area of all ulcers were reduced by >54.78% (varying from 25.20% to 100%) within 4 weeks. Mean duration of ulcer healing was 7.67±2.314 weeks for nine (9) patients. Of the three patients their ulcers healed within ≤6 weeks duration had a mean baseline ulcer area of 7.58±4.56 at presentation. It was observed that four patients (26.67%) having wound area ≤20cm² needed less than six injections.

Conclusions: - Autologous PRP as weekly injections for 6 weeks is an effective therapy with significant reduction in the area of the ulcer compared to the pre-treatment levels (p<0.005).