Clinical Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Plasma vs. Traditional Wound Dressings for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers present complex challenges in terms of their pathogenesis and associated morbidity. In contrast to traditional treatment methods like saline gauze and antiseptic dressings, newer biological approaches such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are under investigation as potential enhancements for managing diabetic foot ulcers. These innovative methods aim to improve the outcomes for patients with these challenging wounds. Methods: The current study is a randomized controlled trial comprising 20 subjects in both the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) dressing group and the conventional dressing group. The study was conducted within the General Surgery wards of Krishna Hospital, KIMS, karad hospital, focusing on patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Over a span of three weeks, PRP dressings were administered biweekly before conducting the final assessment of the wounds. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PRP dressings in comparison to conventional dressings for managing diabetic foot ulcers. Results: The majority of the study participants were males, primarily aged over 60 years. The foot ulcers were predominantly located on the plantar aspect. Trauma was identified as the leading cause of these ulcers in about two-thirds of the cases. Approximately 70% of the subjects were being treated with insulin. Among the patients who received PRP dressings, the wounds exhibited a significant contraction of over 36%, which was statistically higher compared to those who received conventional dressings. This data suggests that PRP dressings may have a more pronounced impact on wound contraction, potentially making them a more effective treatment option for diabetic foot ulcers. Conclusion: Newer biological methods like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) dressings represent a relatively novel, safe, and efficient approach for managing diabetic foot ulcers when compared to traditional methods.