Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Effects of Allogeneic Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) on the Healing Process of Sectioned Achilles Tendons of Rats: A Methodological Description
Published on: March 19, 2018
Allogenic platelet gel in the treatment of pressure sores: a pilot study
Silvia Scevola1, Giovanni Nicoletti, Federica Brenta
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Pavia -Salvatore Maugeri Foundation Research and Care Institute, Pavia, Italy. silvia.scevola@fsm.it
Insights
Platelet gel shows promise for chronic wound healing, particularly pressure sores in spinal cord injury patients. Early application accelerates granulation tissue formation, but prolonged use offers no additional benefit over standard care.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Wound Healing
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Platelet gel is a popular treatment for chronic ulcers, but its efficacy is debated.
- Pressure sores are common in spinal cord injury patients, posing significant treatment challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of allogenic platelet gel versus standard care for chronic pressure sores.
- To compare healing times and clinical improvement in ulcers treated with platelet gel.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized trial involving 13 spinal cord injury patients with 16 pressure sores.
- Ulcers were randomized to receive either allogenic platelet gel or current best practice wound care.
- Clinical improvement and granulation tissue onset were monitored over 20 months.
Main Results:
- 15 out of 16 ulcers showed clinical improvement regardless of treatment group.
- No significant difference in volume reduction was observed between platelet gel and standard care.
- Platelet gel significantly accelerated the onset of granulation tissue proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Platelet gel is effective in initiating the healing process for chronic ulcers, especially within the first two weeks.
- Prolonged platelet gel treatment did not demonstrate advantages over established wound care protocols.
- Allogenic platelet gel represents a valuable option for early-stage wound healing acceleration.
Abstract:
Although platelet gel is considered one of the most popular tools in the treatment of chronic ulcers, current consensus on its use is not unanimous. A prospective randomised trial was carried out at the Plastic Surgery Unit of the 'Salvatore Maugeri' Foundation Hospital of Pavia (Italy). The study involved 13 patients affected by spinal cord injury with 16 pressure sores over a period of 20 months. The ulcer was considered the experimental unit of the study irrespective of the number of ulcers per patient. Each consecutive ulcer was randomised to be treated either with allogenic platelet gel or with current best practice approach to chronic wounds dressing protocol. At the end of the treatment 15 ulcers out of 16 improved clinically. No statistically significant difference was demonstrated in volume reduction between the two groups, although a statistically significant difference could be demonstrated in the onset time of granulation tissue proliferation as in the wounds treated with platelet gel the healing process was triggered earlier. Our study suggests that platelet gel is mostly effective within the first 2 weeks of treatment while a prolonged treatment does not provide any significant advantage versus the current best practice approach to chronic wounds protocols.
