Response of Wounds of SCI Patients to Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma Gel

Purpose:  Pressure ulcers in SCI are notoriously difficult to heal, in part due to many physiological deficits that put these patients at a disadvantage for preventing or healing these life-altering wounds.  Autologous platelet rich plasma gel (PRP Gel)* was used on 13 wounds in SCI patients in a non-randomized, prospective trial.  This poster quantifies the effects of this treatment on 13 wounds in 10 patients. 

Methodology:  Data was gathered prospectively on SCI patients in LTAC’s and outpatient care centers as PRP Gel was used on recalcitrant pressure ulcers and trauma wounds.  Data included patient age, previous wound duration, wound area, volume, length of undermining, and length of sinus tracts & tunneling (ST/T).

Results: Ten patients with 13 wounds were treated in 6 sites.  Twelve of the wounds were pressure ulcers, one was post-surgical.  The mean previous wound duration was 58 weeks.  Mean patient age was 49.7 years.

On average patients were treated 4.4 times over 3.2 weeks.  100% of the wounds responded in decreasing in area, volume, or undermining/sinus tracts/tunneling.   On average, the wounds decreased 61.9% in volume, and 50.9% in area in those 3.2 weeks. Wounds with undermining (4/13 or 31%) had a mean reduction of 68.5% using 3.3 treatments over 1.7 weeks. Wounds with sinus tracts or tunneling (3/13 or 23%) had a mean reduction of 30% in 3.0 treatments over 1.7 weeks.

Conclusion: PRP appears to be an effective adjunct to treatment of recalcitrant pressure ulcers in the SCI population.  These longstanding wounds responded positively and quickly to this treatment.

*AutoloGel, Cytomedix, Inc., Rockville, MD.