Application of platelet-rich plasma in traumatic bone infections

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Traumatic bone infection represents a clinical challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Traditional treatments include surgical debridement and antibiotic, but prolonged use of antibiotic may lead to colonization of resistant bacteria and other adverse reactions.

Areas covered: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a biological product extracted from the peripheral blood of patients, has been widely used in the field of tissue repair in recent years. Because if its structural and antibacterial properties, PRP is an innovative option for the prevention and treatment of infections. This review assesses the recent scientific literature on PRP, specifically its in the treatment of infections. To this end, a literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Web of Science databases with the following keywords ‘platelet-rich plasma (PRP)’; ‘PRP AND traumatic bone infections’; ‘PRP AND bone defect’; ‘PRP AND antibiotics’; and ‘PRP AND wound healing’.

Expert opinion: This review focuses on the mechanism of action, preparation methods, clinical applications and other aspects related to PRP to provide a reference for its use in the treatment of traumatic bone infections, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness and improving the prognosis of patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Platelet-rich plasma
• traumatic bone infections
• bone defect
• antibiotics
• wound healing

Article highlights

• The choice of preparation method, temperature and concentration are important factors that affect PRP to exert better therapeutic function.

• The mechanism of PRP used in the treatment of traumatic bone infections is analyzed from two aspects: promoting tissue repair and regeneration and anti-infection.

• We have listed the clinical examples of the combined application of PRP and other techniques in the treatment of bone infections.

• The PRP loaded antibiotic gel system mentioned in the article is a technology that we have applied in clinical treatment, and the relevant research results are also partially displayed.

• We provide our views on the further application and challenges of PRP in the field of bone infections

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Funding of Joint Science and Health Medicine Project of Chongqing [2018ZDXM030]; Special Funds for Social Undertaking and Livelihood Security Projects of Chongqing [CSTC2016SHMSZX130068]; Equipment Research Funding of PLA of China [LJ2018B020147].