Should we use platelet-rich plasma as an adjunct therapy to treat "acute wounds," "burns," and "laser therapies": A review and a proposal of a quality criteria checklist for further studies

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma seems to help wound healing. The goal of this review is to determine if the adjunction of platelet-rich plasma enhances the clinical outcome of acute wounds, burns, and laser therapies. A PubMed and Cochrane library search was performed by two reviewers with the senior author as a consultant. Medical Subject Headings search terms used were the following: ["Platelet-rich plasma" OR "Platelet gel" OR "Platelet growth factor"] AND ["Acute wound" OR "Wound" OR "Burn" OR "Laser"]. We included controlled studies assessing the clinical outcome of acute wounds, burns, and laser therapies treated by platelet-rich plasma. Nine randomized controlled studies, six prospective controlled studies, and two retrospective controlled studies were included. Regarding acute wounds, three randomized controlled trials found a statistical benefit regarding either the healing time, the return back to work time, the quality of life, or the pain and three prospective controlled studies found a statistical difference regarding the velocity of healing. Platelet-rich plasma decreased the intensity or duration of erythema after laser therapy in four randomized studies. Regarding the long-term outcome of laser therapies, two studies found a statistical benefit and two others did not. Platelet-rich plasma accelerates acute wound healing and decreases erythema after laser therapies. Its use on burns has not been enough studied.