A Single-Institution Cohort Study of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Gel for Hard-to-Heal Chronic Wounds: Potential Role in Microvascular Regeneration
Summary: This single-center retrospective cohort evaluated autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel prepared with the AutoloGel System® in 20 patients with hard-to-heal chronic wounds refractory to ≥28 days of standard wound care. Etiologies included diabetic foot ulcers (n=4), chronic limb-threatening ischemia (n=3), vasculitic ulcers (n=5), venous leg ulcers (n=3), pressure ulcers, and surgical site infections. PRP gel was applied weekly (mean 4.3 applications). All wounds achieved complete epithelialization within 12 weeks, with mean healing time of 47.9 ± 28.5 days after PRP initiation—significantly faster than the 87.2 ± 77.1 days on prior conventional therapy (p=0.0107). No treatment-related adverse events occurred. The therapy showed particular promise in difficult microvascular and vasculitic ulcers, supporting PRP’s potential role in promoting angiogenesis and microcirculatory regeneration.
Key Highlights:
- 100% complete healing within 12 weeks across diverse refractory wounds (including DFUs)
- Healing time reduced from 87.2 to 47.9 days (p=0.0107)
- Effective in vasculitic and microangiopathic ischemic ulcers
- No adverse events; mean 4.3 weekly applications
- Authors: Miki Fujii, Kazuki Shimada, Takako Komiya, Hajime Matsumura
Keywords: platelet rich plasma gel, hard to heal wounds, autologous PRP, Miki Fujii