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  Discussion on Wound healing and platelet-rich plasma
Author Message
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 8, 2009 - 10:40 am:

I just read ("The Horse") about a new study showing differing results than previously found using PRP for improving the healing of surgical wounds:

(Dr. O has some interesting articles about good results using PRP for ligament and tendon injuries).

Brazilian researchers report that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is beneficial for healing surgical wounds in horses, contrary to previous reports.

Because wound healing in horses is frequently problematic from both a clinical and economical point of view, methods to improve healing and minimize complications (such as the development of "proud flesh" or exuberant scar tissue) are desperately needed.

Researchers are looking into the use of PRP for treating numerous conditions in equine medicine, including wound repair. This is because platelets in PRP contain growth factors that stimulate growth of blood vessels and promote collagen synthesis. Further, PRP that is derived from the patient itself--referred to as autologous PRP--is biocompatible and, therefore, safe to use.

Researchers evaluated a PRP gel by surgically creating two full-thickness skin wounds on six horses. One wound on each horse was simply sutured closed using a standard suture material and pattern while the PRP gel was applied to the subcutaneous tissues in the second wound on each horse prior to suturing the wound. The researchers periodically biopsied the wounds over the next 45 days and examined the tissues microscopically to assess healing.

The authors reported that the treated wounds exhibited "more rapid epithelial differentiation and enhanced organization of dermal collagen," compared to the nontreated surgical wounds. Enhanced wound healing is thought to potentially benefit patients and their owners by providing quality, economical healing.

Details regarding the procedure used to prepare and administer the PRP gel are available in the full length article which is available free through PubMed.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 8, 2009 - 6:10 pm:

The problem here Vicki is that autologous PRP would neither be economical nor readily available. It would require collection of blood from the injured horse, transport to the hospital, centrifuging, separation, transportation back to the horse, application, then the wound could be closed.

Though certainly interesting, I do not think this is a practical treatment for the vast majority of sutured wounds though it may have some special uses or perhaps could be used in horses transported to a hospital. Even then cost effectiveness is somewhat questionable as the quality of healing on well sutured wounds that don't dehisce is already very good and I don't think the dehiscence rate would be decreased with this procedure.
DrO
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 8, 2009 - 6:29 pm:

Interesting.

Thanks for your comments, Dr. O.
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