Article
Platelet-Rich Plasma: A review of the literature and potential applications in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery
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Published: | August 16, 2017 |
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Outline
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Introduction: Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been noted to be useful and has current application in various surgical specialties, as it is a powerful growth stimulator of a variety of tissue types. There are limited reports of clinical application of PRP in the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The aim of the study was to review the literature and objectively identify the level of evidence for the use platelet rich plasma in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery and make recommendations for its application in Plastic and reconstructive surgery based on level of evidence.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted focusing on Platelet rich plasma and its current applications. This was narrowed subsequently to platelet rich plasma with special focus on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. The available literature was then categorized according to level of scientific evidence and relevance to the field of plastic and aesthetic surgery.
Results: 284 articles were found relating to Platelet rich Plasma/ Plastic and reconstructive surgery in a PubMed search from 2002-2017. The articles had various study designs and were a mixture of experimental /review/case reports and covered a wide range of specialties. 77 articles were found of relevance relating to Platelet rich Plasma and plastic and reconstructive surgery. 25 articles were related to augmenting Fat grafting in lipofilling procedures, 10 articles were related to craniofacial surgery, 10 articles to burn surgery, 14 articles to microsurgery and general reconstructive applications and the remaining 23 were laboratory based animal studies. Of these 77 articles there were only 4 Randomized controlled trials and 14 case control studies
Conclusion: Despite large experimental evidence there are few Randomized controlled studies and well designed clinical studies. There is high level of evidence of the potential benefit of PRP as an adjunct to lipo-filling and other regenerative procedures including bone graft augmentation. There needs to be ongoing research into the clinical applicability of PRP in aesthetic and plastic surgery through well- designed clinical trials.