Clinical effects of autologous platelet-rich plasma gel in the repair of chronic wounds

Objective To explore the clinical application effects of autologous platelet-rich plasma gel in the repair of various chronic wounds. Methods From January 2015 to January 2018, 76 patients with chronic wounds were admitted to our unit, with 39 men and 37 women, aged 28 to 75 (52±6) years. Before the operation, areas of wounds ranged from 2.0 cm×0.5 cm to 17.0 cm×5.0 cm, depths of wounds ranged from 1 to 6 cm, areas of wounds substrate ranged from 3 cm×3 cm to 17 cm×8 cm, and volumes of deep cavities ranged from 7 to 55 mL. All patients received operation 2 to 7 days after admission. Autologous platelet of 220-250 mL was collected from each patient by single extraction to make platelet-rich plasma of 10-50 mL. The cavity was filled completely by injection of platelet-rich plasma gel for 1-3 times. Wounds were sutured directly or covered by local flaps or other materials according to the conditions of wounds, and the unclosed wounds in primary stage were treated by continuous vacuum sealing drainage (VSD). Ultrasound, CT, or magnetic resonance imaging was performed to detect the healing of cavity after the operation. The healing of wound and repair of cavity after the operation and during follow-up were observed. Results Wounds in 39 patients were closed directly after primary operation. Among them, wounds of 36 patients were healed completely, and wounds of the other 3 patients were healed completely after second debridement and topical filling of platelet-rich plasma gel. The cavities in 35 patients were filled with granulation tissue after treatment of platelet-rich plasma gel for 1-3 times combined with VSD, and the wounds were healed after skin grafting or flap transplantation. The treatment of wounds discontinued in the other 2 patients after treatment of platelet-rich plasma gel for once. Postoperative follow-up was lost in 7 patients. During follow-up of 2 and/or 4 months after the primary operation, wounds were healed well with no recurrence, and cavities were filled with fibrous tissue. Conclusions Autologous platelet-rich plasma gel has advantages in treating chronic wounds, including a large amount by single extraction, flexible use mode, ability to fully fill the complex cavity, high surgical safety, and mild secondary injury. It′s a new choice for repair of chronic wounds in clinic.