Effect of platelet rich plasma gel in a physiologically relevant platelet concentration on wounds in persons with spinal cord injury

The objective of the study was to investigate the use of a 1 center dot 3 times normal platelet concentration platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel to move chronic wounds towards healing in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The study design was a case series of 20 persons with SCI with non healing wounds. The outcome measures were, in wound area, volume, undermining and sinus tracts/tunnels (ST/Ts), calculated average, (i) percent of change from baseline, (ii) change per day from baseline, (iii) number of treatments and (iv) number of weeks. In a mean of 4 center dot 0, after treatments over 3 center dot 4 weeks, the wounds closed on an average of 47 center dot 9% in area and 56 center dot 0% in volume. Undermining closed on an average of 31 center dot 4% using 3 center dot 5 treatments over 2 center dot 6 weeks. ST/Ts closed on an average of 26 center dot 1% after 2 center dot 3 treatments over 1 center dot 5 weeks. Clinical relevance by percent of positive responders and their response: in area, 90 center dot 0% of the subjects responded positively, the average reduction was 53 center dot 8%. In volume, 90 center dot 0% responded, with an average reduction of 67 center dot 3%. Of four subjects with undermining, 75% closed 47 center dot 0% on average. Of the three with ST/Ts, 100% closed 26 center dot 1% on average. Average haemoglobin and haematocrit levels were below normal. To conclude, 1 center dot 3x PRP gel appears to progress chronic, non healing wounds in SCI patients into the granulation phase of healing quickly. Review of the literature shows these results may not be applied to all PRP preparations.