Current opinion about using the platelet-rich gel in orthopaedics and trauma surgery

The use of growth factors in combination with tissue engineering seems to be the most promising method in the future for the treatment of tissue, bone and cartilage defect. Growth factors are cytokines with regulatory functions for healing in tissues of the musculoskeletal system. These small peptides are synthesised by resident cells at the site of injury such as mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes, or by the infiltrating inflammatory process. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a novel osteoinductive therapeutic approach that is increasingly used in treatment of such complications of bone healing processes. The activator for PRP is a mixture of thrombin and calcium chloride. After connecting these substances platelet-rich gel (PRG) is formed and numerous regulatory molecules to the injury site such as PDGF, TGF-, VEGF, IGF, EGF and antimicrobial proteins are released. The aim of this article is presentation of present knowledge about properties and possibilities of using platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of soft tissue and bone healing disturbances.