Topical Application of Autologous PRP Dressing Versus Normal Saline Gauze Dressings in Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcer

INTRODUCTION : Diabetes is a major health problem that is currently showing an alarming increase in its incidence and prevalence. Of Diabetic foot ulcers is a predominant complication of the disease.Appropriate treatment and wound careaccelerate the process of  healing  and prevents the  infection and chronicity of the woundof which autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has  attracted a lot attention.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy between topical PRP dressings versus normal saline gauze dressing.

METHODOLOGY: This is a prospective study done in JSS HOSPITAL MYSURU for 18 months with sample size of 58 divided into 2 groups by using simple randomisation. Group A Underwent PRP and Group B- Sterile normal saline dressings were. Performa containing Questionnaire regarding medical history will be taken, general  physical examination, local examination of ulcer, loco regional examination is done and noted . Wound Assessment was done to evaluate the rate of wound amongst the two groups.

RESULTS: The study showed significant decrease in size of the ulcer, decrease in exudate amount, peripheral tissue oedema and induration in patients treated with PRP dressing when compared with ulcers treated with Normal saline dressing. There was also significant increase in granulation tissue for the ulcers treated with PRP dressing. Most of the patients who underwent PRP dressing were found have no growth in the pus culture implying reduction in bacterial load of the ulcer.

CONCLUSION: The Approach of treatment to Diabetic foot ulcer is  multidisciplinary which includes –local wound care with surgical debridement, regular dressings with infection control, use of offloading devices with proper vascular assessment and Good glycaemic control.

PRP Can be easily  prepared using  patients own blood and its Local application has  significantly lead to faster healing by formation of granulation tissue and reducing the slough, discharge, bacterial load/ reducing the wound size. Thus, decreasing the duration of Hospital stay.