This study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of the combination of autologous platelet-rich plasma gel (APG) and Manuka honey gauze in the treatment of Stages 3-4 pressure injury of older adults. Patients were divided into four groups: Manuka honey gauze and APG (M + A), Manuka honey gauze (M), APG (A), and a control group (C). Different treatments were given, then wound bed coverage with granulation tissue, wound size reduction, and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) score were examined. Paraffin-embedded sections of wound tissues were analyzed and wound swab cultures were assessed. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were performed in statistical analysis at a 5% significance level. A total of 42 patients were accepted. Significant increase of wound bed coverage with granulation tissue (51.24%, P = .004, Kruskal-Wallis test) and decrease of PUSH score (-5) were observed in the M + A group at the end of the observation (P = .032, Mann-Whitney U test). The hematoxylin-eosin staining of wound tissues showed that typical squamous epithelium was seen in wound bed of patient in M + A group. Manuka honey gauze and APG were proved to be superior treatments for pressure injury of old patient. Increase of granulation tissue coverage, reduction of PUSH score, and improved growth of epithelium were observed in M + A group. There was no side-effect, and the treatment would not cause infection.
Keywords: honey; platelet-rich plasma; pressure ulcer; wound healing.