Platelet gel in the treatment of cutaneous ulcers: the experience of the Immunohaematology and Transfusion Centre of Parma

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Platelet gel is being ever more frequently used to promote healing of cutaneous ulcers. However, the factors that determine the often variable clinical outcome of this procedure are still incompletely understood. Aims The aims of this study were to demonstrate that platelet gel, even when obtained under strictly controlled conditions, produces highly variable outcomes in patients with cutaneous ulcers and to propose a method for in vitro standardisation of the biological properties of platelet gel. MATERIAL AND METHODS.: Patients were enrolled on the basis of a pre-defined protocol. Platelet concentrate was produced with standard methods, with a variability in platelet count among the different samples of less than 10%. The platelet gel for clinical use was obtained, under strictly standardized conditions, by adding thrombin and calcium gluconate to the concentrates. For in vitro studies, platelet gel, obtained from platelet-rich plasma from four donors, was frozen and thawed twice so as to increase gel contraction. The supernatant was used to modify cell proliferation, protein synthesis, and the expression of selected genes in cultures of human diploid fibroblasts. Results Seventeen patients (aged 44-78 years) with ulcers (4 diabetic, 11 vascular, 1 post-traumatic, 1 decubitus) were treated with platelet gel (4 autologous, 13 homologous). Complete re-epithelialisati

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

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