Platelet Rich Plasma: Efficacy in Treating Trophic Ulcers in Leprosy

Trophic ulcers secondary to leprosy pose a great stigma to the patients and remain a challenge to the treating dermatologists. The discovery of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) with its favourable role in wound healing is a boon for the patients. PRP introduces the growth factors directly into the wound and aids in rapid healing.

To study the efficacy and safety of PRP in the healing of trophic ulcers secondary to Hansen's disease in a tertiary care centre in Southern India.

Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 50 patients were enrolled in the study. PRP was prepared by manual double spin method. After wound bed preparation, activated PRP was sprayed over the ulcer and occlusive dressings were applied. Same procedure was repeated every week until complete re-epithelisation or up to six sittings whichever occurred earlier.

In our study, 46 patients (92%) showed complete healing. In 4 patients (8%), there was marked reduction in wound size with partial re-epithelization. In 88%, complete healing was seen after the fourth sitting. Mean time for ulcer healing was around 4.38 weeks.

PRP therapy leads to faster rate of induction of granulation tissue with rapid healing. Healing had no direct statistical correlation with the size, site and duration of ulcer, the leprosy spectrum and associated motor deformities. It is a simple, safe and cost effective in-office procedure, albeit requiring an optimal set-up and expertise.