Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma Versus Conventional Dressing in Treatment of Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers

Abstract Background Prevalence of active venous leg ulcers was reported to be around 0.5% in different populations severely reduces quality of life, and increases the cost of health care. Management of VLUs include many modalities to obtain good result and improving patients life-style, these modalities include compression therapy, medical treatment, surgical and interventional procedures and local wound care. Objective: To compare between autologous platelet rich plasma and saline dressing in treatment of chronic leg venous ulcer concerning reduction of ulcer area. Patients and Methods That prospective study included 40 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers recruited from Ain shams university hospitals for whom treatment with PRP was done for 20 patients weekly for up to 3 weeks(one session of injection per week)(study group) and applying saline dressing for 20 patients(control group) in addition to compression therapy and follow up for4 months. Our objective was to compare rate of wound healing. Results A total of 44 venous ulcers from 40 patients who met the inclusion criteria were treated. Application of PRP was done for 20 patients weekly for up to 3 weeks(one session of injection per week)(study group) and applying saline dressing for 20 patients(control group) in addition to compression therapy and follow up for4 months. Conclusion We can draw the conclusion our study's results reveal that the use of PRP contributes to improving the results of treatment of venous ulcers and that it is an effective and safe therapy. Nonetheless, we need to consider that application of this or any other treatment should always be accompanied by the necessary management of the underlying disease, in addition to a suitable pressure bandage that improves venous return and facilitates favourable clinical course of lesions.