The efficacy of intralesional injection of autologous platelet rich plasma versus normal saline dressing in chronic non-healing ulcers

Abstract

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can potentially enhance healing of chronic non-healing ulcer by increasing the delivery of various growth factors from the α-granules contained in platelets. Aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous PRP versus normal saline (NS) at chronic non healing ulcer in relation to wound healing on the basis of ulcer size reduction, duration of healing, complete or partial healing and side effectsMethods: Fifty four patients with chronic non-healing ulcer were randomly divided into two equal groups: PRP group (treated with PRP) and NS group. Observations were made regarding pain, slough, discharge, granulation, reduction in ulcer size and volume on every 7th day till 4 weeks.Results: Reduction in area and volume of ulcers at the end of treatment was 12.27±4.10 cm2 and 6.88±5.26 cm3 in PRP group and 9.25±1.89 cm2 and 4.25 ±1.05 cm3 in NS group. In PRP group 59.25% had no discharge, 74.08% had no slough, 62.97% had no pain while in NS group no patient was without discharge, 14.81% patient had no slough, 74.07% had minimal pain on 28th day. In PRP group 22.22% ulcers were completely healed while in NS groups all ulcers were partially healed.Conclusions: PRP is more effective than NS on chronic non-healing ulcers as it causes more rapid healing, rapid relief from pain and early decrease in discharge and slough in all age groups and sex; irrespective of type, size, site, duration and etiology of ulcer.