Platelet-Rich Plasma for Wound Healing

Wound healing is a multistep regeneration process that requires immunological and microenvironmental conditions occurring simultaneously. Since platelets and their granules play a pivotal role in wound healing, their use as medication is extensively been evaluated in several fields, spacing from chronic wounds to aesthetics. In this chapter, we focused on wound healing and specifically on the contribution exerted by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in different wounds. We performed a comprehensive literature review, including randomized clinical trials, prospective studies, case--control, and case series, to investigate clinical long-term outcomes (>12 months) of topical PRP. Our results suggest that PRP improves healing, sustaining a faster tissue regeneration, reducing scar formation, improving neo-vascularization, and decreasing recurrences. Remarkably, patients display lower pain and discomfort resulting in an increased satisfaction. Since this effective technique is ideal to be performed in hospital as well as in private practice, authors encourage the use of PRP in all patients with wounds, both chronic and acute.