Does Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Improve Wound Healing and Pain Perception after Cesarean Section in High-Risk Patients?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on wound healing and pain perception after cesarean section in high-risk patients. Design: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Participants/Materials, Settings, and Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial of 200 patients who came to the outpatient clinic of Menoufia University Hospital for elective cesarean surgery. The women were randomly assigned to 2 equal groups. The intervention group received PRP subcutaneous injection in the wound after surgery; however, the control group received the usual care. Outcome variables included the redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, approximation (REEDA) scale, Vancouver scar scale (VSS), and in addition to the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: From April 2018 to July 2020, the PRP group showed a greater reduction in the REEDA score compared to the control group on day 1, day 7, and this was continued till 6 months (1.51 ± 0.90 vs. 2.49 ± 1.12, p < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the PRP group had a significantly greater reduction in the VSS and VAS scores beginning on the seventh day (3.71 ± 0.99 vs. 4.67 ± 1.25, p < 0.001) and (5.06 ± 1.10 vs. 6.02 ± 1.15, p < 0.001), respectively, and continued till 6 months. Limitations: Pain was not measured by the use of analgesics, and we did not investigate the effects of varying platelet concentrations, centrifuge duration, or speed. Conclusions: PRP has positive effects on wound healing and pain reduction in high-risk patients undergoing cesarean section in low-resource settings.