Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma

Clinical Information

In summary, PRP is an autologous accelerator of wound healing, and a biological glue.

Prior to a scheduled surgical operation, a patient can provide approximately 20ml of whole venous blood, that is then subjected to a process involving possibly mixing with alcohol and calcium chloride as a pro-coagulant, followed by centrifugation in the special Regen THT Tubes. The concentrated plasma so collected can then be dispensed by the syringe applicator onto wound surfaces.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an autologous concentration of human platelets in a small volume of plasma. It is also a concentration of the 7 fundamental protein growth factors proved to be actively secreted by platelets to initiate all wound healing. PRP also contains the three proteins in blood known to act as cell adhesion molecules for osteo-conduction and as a matrix for bone, connective tissue and epithelial migration.

PRP development via centrifugation has been greatly simplified so that it can now be used not just in the Operating Room but also in the Doctors Office setting. However not all PRP systems and devices are equal; for example some do not concentrate viably active platelets in sufficient numbers to produce a healing enhancement. This has lead to and explains most of the criticisms regarding the efficacy of PRP.

PRP works via the degranulation of the alpha granules in platelets, which contain the synthesised and pre-packaged growth factors. The active secretion of these cell factors is initiated by the clotting process of blood and begins within 10 minutes after clotting. More than 95% of the pre-synthesised growth factors are secreted within 1 hour. After this initial burst, the platelets synthesise and secrete additional growth factors for the remaining 7 days of their viability. Then macrophages arriving due to the vascular in-growth stimulated by the platelets, assume the function of wound-healing regulation by secreting some of the same and new growth factors. Therefore it is the number of platelets in the blood clot within the graft or wound that sets the rate of wound healing. PRP serves to increase that initial number.

The vast majority of medical and scientific publications on the topic report a significant enhancement of healing when PRP is used, across a wide range of clinical applications.

PRP facilitates the healing of surgical wounds in many clinical situations:

• Burns
• Radio-therapy Burns
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Dental Surgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
• Etc.

Perhaps the best proof of absolute clinical efficacy and value of PRP can be seen directly in published photographs of bone grafts and skin grafts tested side-by-side or left untreated. The differences are dramatic, and convincing. The diffferences are also substantiated thoroughly by histological observations and measurements of the two sites.

Because it is an autogenous preparation, PRP is inherently free from concerns of transmissible diseases, and therefore safer than any homologous preparations.

Product Information

ReGen Lab Autologous PRP Kit is an exciting new product that is a fully-self-contained package of materials required to take the patients blood sample, extract, centrifuge and re-deploy the PRP plasma. The device is intended for single use on a single patient, is disposable, is ready to use, and requires minimal training.

ReGen PRP Kit is CE approved.

Registered on the NZ MedSafe WAND database as a Class III Medical Device with Identifier 061024-WAND-6UV6CT.

For further information on the clinical applications and the product, see: www.regenlab.com/

Last updated 20th December 2006.

For further information contact:
Steve Lee; Special Clinical Projects Division Manager at NZMS
09-259 4062, 021-928 332 or slee@nzms.co.nz