Background: Platelet-leukocyte gel (PLG) is being used during various surgical procedures in an attempt to enhance the healing process. We studied the effects of PLG on postoperative recovery of patients undergoing open subacromial decompression (OSD). Methods: PLG was produced from platelet-leukocyte-rich plasma (P-LRP), prepared from a unit of whole blood. Forty patients were included in the study. Self-assessed evaluations, using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scoring system of activities of daily living (ADL), joint instability, pain levels, pain medications, and clinical evaluations for range of motion were conducted. Results: Platelet and leukocyte counts were significantly increased in the P-LRP compared to baseline counts. Treated patients demonstrated decreased visual analog scales for pain and used significantly less pain medication, had an improved range of motion during passive forward elevation, external rotation, external rotation with arm at 90° abduction, internal rotation, and cross body adduction compared to control patients (p < 0.001). No differences in the instability score were observed between the groups. Furthermore, treated patients performed more ADL (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In the PLG-treated group, recovery was faster and patients returned earlier to daily activities and also took less pain medication than control subjects.

No abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate multiple conditions on the formation of bone growth in a goat model. We prepared from a unit of whole blood, platelet-leukocyte gel (PLG) to stimulate bone formation, based on the release of platelet growth factors. Two 3-compartment cages containing autologous bone, calcium phosphate, and trabecular metal were implanted onto goat spinal transverse processes. One cage was treated with PLG, prepared according to a standardized protocol. An untreated cage served as a control. To monitor bone formation overtime, fluorochrome markers were administered at 2, 3, and 5 weeks. Animals were sacrificed at 9 weeks after implantation. Bone growth in these 3-compartments cages was examined by histology and histomorphometry of nondecalcified sections using traditional light and epifluorescent microscopy. Compared to the control samples, bone growth in the PLG-treated autologous bone and calcium phosphate samples was significantly more. Fairly little bone growth was seen in PLG treated or untreated trabecular metal scaffolds. The results obtained from this goat model suggest a potential role for the application of autologous PLG during surgeries in which autologous bone grafts or calcium phosphate scaffolds are used.