Autologous platelet-rich plasma versus conventional therapy for the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers: A comparative study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Chronic venous leg ulcers drastically reduce the quality of life of affected patients. There is heightened interest in autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as one of the promising therapies for leg ulcers.

AIM:

Our aim was to compare the clinical efficacy of PRP in the management of chronic venous leg ulcers vs conventional treatment.

PATIENTS/METHODS:

In total, 40 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers were included in the study. Twenty patients were treated with autologous PRP weekly for 6 weeks (Group A), and 20 patients were treated with conventional treatment (compression and dressing) for 6 weeks (Group B). Treatment results were calculated by percentage of improvement in area of the ulcer.

RESULTS:

Compared to conventional therapy, a highly significant improvement in the ulcer size was observed post-PRP therapy (P-value = .0001). The mean change in the area of the ulcer post-PRP and conventional therapy was 4.92 ± 11.94 cm and 0.13 ± 0.27 cm, respectively, while the mean percentage improvement in the area of the ulcer post-PRP and conventional therapy was 67.6% ± 36.6% and 13.67% ± 28.06%, respectively. Subjective improvement in pain associated with the ulcer was noted by all patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Platelet-rich plasma is a safe nonsurgical procedure for treating chronic venous leg ulcers. Additional studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up periods are required to confirm or refute our findings.

• Authors: Hoda A Moneib, Sahar S Youssef, Dalia G Aly, Mohamed A Rizk, Yomna I Abdelhakeem
• Journal: Journal of cosmetic dermatology (J Cosmet Dermatol) Vol. 17 Issue 3 Pg. 495-501 (Jun 2018) ISSN: 1473-2165 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28834103 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Topics

• Adult
• Bandages
• Chronic Disease
• Debridement
• Female
• Humans
• Leg
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain (etiology)
• Pain Measurement
• Platelet-Rich Plasma
• Stockings, Compression
• Treatment Outcome
• Varicose Ulcer (complications, therapy)
• Young Adult