Abstract:

Background: The loss of skin subcutaneous tissue of the leg that takes more than 6 weeks to heal is considered as a chronic leg ulcer. Chronic leg ulcers are often difficult to heal because they lack the necessary growth factors (GFs) to maintain the healing process. Platelet Rich Plasma contain (GFs) and important cytokines, which are they elements in the process of tissue repair and regeneration. The aim of study was to determine, safety, feasibility and rate of healing of chronic leg ulcers following PRP injection in the ulcer site at Bugando Medical Centre.

Methods: This was a prospective group Cohort-an exploratory study design that was conducted in Bugando Medical Centre. A total number of 50 patients with chronic leg ulcer were enrolled to assess to proportion of successful healing after 30 days following PRP injection on ulcers.

Results: A total of patients with chronic leg ulcers were enrolled in to the study, 37 (74%) were male and 13(26%) were female mean age of 43 years, Mean ulcer’s surface area was 36.6 centimeter square. After 3 times injection of PRP into the ulcer 68% of ulcer’s surface area reduced by half at the end of fourth week of observation. Average rate of healing per week was 63.5% on second week, 75.55% third week, and 93.33% in the fourth week. A average reduction of ulcer size was 21.8 centimeter square, fourth weeks, 20.5 cm square, 20.55 cm square week 3 and 19.71 cm square week 2 respectively. Seven (14%) of patient report increase in pain, while 43 patients (86%) report decrease of pain. Four (8%) patients had infection post PRP, while 46(92%) no infection observed.

Conclusion: PRP is safe, simple and effective procedure in treating chronic leg ulcers in our setting. It is more effective in traumatic leg ulcers, compared to non-traumatic ulcers. It is superior in venous leg ulcer compared to diabetes and sickle cell ulcers.