Dissertation committee:
Γεώργιος Ζωγράφος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Μανούσος Κωνσταντουλάκης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Σωτήριος Γεωργόπουλος, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Κωνσταντίνος Φίλης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπων
Κωνσταντίνος Γ. Τούτουζας, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Φλώρα Ζαγούρη, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Φραγκίσκα Σιγάλα, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Background: The use of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for the treatment of non-healing ulcers is a relatively new technique. Although it seems to yield satisfying healing and low complication rates, data remain sparse. Therefore, aim of this study is to evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of PRP on chronic previously non-healing ulcers.
Methods: This was a prospectively designed study comparing outcomes between patients treated with PRP (Group A; n=15) and patients treated conventionally (Control Group B; n=12) for different types of non-healing ulcers. In Group A, PRP was produced from patient’s own peripheral blood sample and was applied on the ulcer once every week. In Group B, patients were treated with a conventional strategy, without applying PRP. The total treatment period was eight weeks.
Results: Both groups were similar regarding age, sex, major co-morbidities and length of treatment. In Group A, patients experienced a non-significant reduction in area and a significant reduction in depth of the wound, while Group B showed an increase of wound’s area after five weeks. The healing rate in Group A was stable and positive throughout the recorded treatment period, while Group B showed negative healing rate initially that became positive after the 3rd week.
Conclusion: Application of PRP once a week promotes the healing of chronic ulcers. It seems to improve both the depth and healing rate of the ulcer although its effect on the ulcer area seems to be smaller. However, larger comparative series are still needed to confirm these findings.
Keywords:
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Chronic ulcers, Healing, Growth factors
