Treatment for patients with chronic wounds is entering a new era, and autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is among the most promising treatments. PRP contains a concentration of platelets obtained by centrifuging the patient's blood. Because it contains fibrin and high concentrations of growth factors, PRP is known to promote wound healing. In this study, we present five patients with chronic foot ulcers successfully treated with PRP in our institution. The patients had various underlying diseases: diabetes (n = 2), peripheral arterial disease (n = 1), both diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (n = 1), and cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (n = 1). Also, we provide a description of PRP's mechanisms, advantages, and limitations.
Keywords: chronic wound; cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa; diabetic foot ulcer; peripheral arterial disease; platelet-rich plasma; wound healing.
© 2015 Japanese Dermatological Association.