Platelet-Rich Plasma: Characteristics and Current Review of its Use in Surgery

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is presently employed across various medical disciplines, including surgical specialties. It is primarily used in the healing of chronic wounds, burn medicine, tissue regeneration support, and scar correction as well as in other surgical and orthopedic indications. Wounds, in general, possess a pro-inflammatory biochemical environment characterized by high protease activity that diminishes the effective concentration of growth factors. In contrast, PRP serves as a source of growth factors and exhibits mitogenic, angiogenic, and chemotactic properties. PRP is a biological product defined as a portion of the autologous blood's plasma fraction with a higher than physiological platelet concentration. PRP is obtained through the centrifugation of blood samples collected from patients. The insights into the biology, mechanism of action, and classification of PRP presented in this review can assist medical professionals in orienting themselves and comprehending the possibilities of the clinical application of this therapy, which remains a subject of investigation and validation. This review summarizes up-to-date information regarding the use of PRP, primarily in burn and reconstructive surgery, plastic surgery, traumatology, and general surgery.