Abstract

Objectives: Pressure ulcers (PrUs) are the common complications following SCI and there are various options available for PrUs management. In this study the author compared the effect of platelet rich plasma gel dressing of pressure ulcer with normal saline dressing in SCI patients.
Design: This randomized comparative study was conducted in PMR department of SMS medical college.
Method: Fifty eight SCI patients with PrUs, were randomized into PRP gel treatment group (n=29) and normal saline treatment group (n=29) equally. In PRP group, pressure ulcer dressing was done with autologous PRP gel twice weekly for 5 weeks and in NS group, ulcer dressing was done with 9% normal saline on the daily basis for 5 weeks.  Evaluation of PrU healing was done by ulcer staging, measuring wound surface area, Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH), histopathological features of ulcer. 
Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.79±9.90 and 35.14±9.05 years in PRP and NS group respectively. Statistically significant reduction in the stages of ulcer was observed only in PRP gel dressing group only (p<0.001 S) after 5 weeks. The wound area, wound volume and PUSH score of PrU decreased significantly in both groups but on compression among the groups significant decrease in ulcer surface area, and PUSH score was observed in PRP group as compare to NS group. Significant improvement in histopathological of the ulcer was observed after 5 weeks both in PRP (P value= 0.001) and NS (P value= 0.001) group but on comparison among the groups, ulcer treated with PRP gel showed more significant improvement as compare to NS group (P value= 0.001)
Conclusion:  PRP gel dressing is a better alternative as compare to normal saline dressings in PrU healing in SCI patients.