The Effectiveness, Safety and Cost‐Effectiveness of Platelet‐Rich Plasma and Platelet‐Rich Fibrin in the Treatment of Venous Leg Ulcers: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

Venous leg ulcers occur due to chronic venous insufficiency in the lower extremities and are often difficult to heal. Platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin are products that contain high concentrations of platelets. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of these products for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Guided by the 2020 Joanna Briggs Institute systematic review of effectiveness guideline, this review included original studies that investigated platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin in the treatment of venous leg ulcers from databases including the Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry, Clinical Trials.gov and Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Methodological quality was assessed using relevant appraisal checklists. Information related to general characteristics of included articles and relevant outcomes of interest were extracted and synthesised narratively. Of thirty-six eligible studies, 24 studies used platelet-rich plasma, eleven investigated fibrin-rich plasma and one study used both platelet-rich plasma and fibrin-rich. Most studies reported these products were effective in promoting wound healing, reducing other symptoms, and were safe to use. The use of platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin resulted in significantly higher healed venous leg ulcers compared to control using conventional treatment (RR: 2.93, 95% CI, 1.90-4.53, p = 0.01). These products were safe to used topically and promoted to wound healing, reduced pain, either along or combined with other treatments. Platelet-rich plasma and fibrin-rich plasma improves wound healing and appears to be safe to use in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.