Abstract
Because of its healing properties, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been applied to the bone–tendon interface during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair to improve surgical outcomes. However, its effects remain ambiguous. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of PRP on retear rate and functional outcomes. Randomised control trials were identified and extracted. Data collection was completed on 15 February 2020. The results are expressed as the risk ratio (RR) for the categorical variables and weighted mean difference for the continuous variables, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Seven randomised controlled trials published from 2013 to 2018, with 541 patients in total, were included. The results revealed a significant decrease in retear rate [RR 0.38, 95% CI (0.22, 0.68), P = 0.0009). Furthermore, a significant improvement was observed regarding short-term Constant score [mean difference = 3.28, 95% CI (1.46, 5.11), P = 0.0004), short-term University of California at Los Angeles activity score [mean difference = 1.60, 95% CI (0.79, 2.42), P = 0.0001], and short-term visual analogue scale score [mean difference = − 0.14, 95% CI (− 0.23, − 0.05), P = 0.002]. This systematic review indicates the efficacy of PRP when applied to the bone–tendon interface during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
Highlights
Because of its healing properties, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been applied to the bone–tendon interface during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair to improve surgical outcomes
It contains an abundance of growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF)[22,23]
The inclusion criteria of this study were as follows: (1) full-thickness rotator cuff tear; (2) diagnosis based on MRI or sonography; (3) application of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; (4) application of PRP on the bone–tendon interface during arthroscopic repair in the intervention group; and (5) reported outcomes, including retear rate, Constant score, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, or visual analogue scale (VAS) score
Summary
Because of its healing properties, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been applied to the bone–tendon interface during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair to improve surgical outcomes. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of PRP on retear rate and functional outcomes. This systematic review indicates the efficacy of PRP when applied to the bone–tendon interface during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. It is worth mentioning that several studies have demonstrated the benefits of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy as an adjuvant to rotator cuff repair to improve surgical o utcomes[15,16,17,18,19,20]. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the outcome of PRP application on the bone–tendon interface during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
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