Use of platelet-rich plasma in irradiated patients to treat and prevent complications of head and neck surgery

Chiara Bramati; Matteo Biafora; Andrea Galli; Leone Giordano

doi:10.1136/bcr-2021-247766

Use of platelet-rich plasma in irradiated patients to treat and prevent complications of head and neck surgery

BMJ Case Rep. 2022 Mar 15;15(3):e247766. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-247766.

Authors

Chiara Bramati^{1

2}, Matteo Biafora¹, Andrea Galli¹, Leone Giordano³

Affiliations

¹ Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Department, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Lombardia, Italy.
² School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Lombardia, Italy.
³ Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Department, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Lombardia, Italy giordano.leone@hsr.it.

Abstract

Nowadays, many patients facing head and neck oncological surgery have a history of tissue irradiation. This represents an important risk factor for postsurgical complications, including dehiscences and fistulas. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained from the patient's blood represents an easy, fast and inexpensive method for the prevention and treatment of such complications. We present three cases of previously irradiated patients in which PRP was successfully used to prevent and treat postsurgical complications.

Keywords: Ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology; Head and neck cancer; Head and neck surgery.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Humans
Platelet-Rich Plasma*