Clinical study of autologous platelet rich plasma gel in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a randomized, controlled trial

Objective To investigate the effect of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) gel in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods All of 44 patients with rotator cuff tear undergent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were randomly divided into two groups: PRP group (22 patients were received autologous PRP and hemocoagulase) and normal saline (NS) group (22 patients were received NS and hemocoagulase). All patients had the same accelerated rehabilitation protocol and were followed up in 1, 3, 12 months. Evaluation consisted of inflammatory reaction, wound healed, visual analogue scores (VAS), University of California at Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Scores and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Scores. Results After operation, no inflammatory reaction was in 20 cases of PRP group and 19 cases of NS group, mid inflammatory reaction 1 case in PRP group and 2 cases in NS group, moderate inflammatory reaction 1 case in PRP group and 1 case in NS group. Wound healed by first intention in all of PRP group and 21 patients of NS group. In PRP group, the preoperative, 3 months and 12 months postoperative VAS were 6.6±2.0, 3.4±1.8, 1.8±1.3, UCLA were 15.2±2.9, 24.3±2.7, 32.4±2.1, ASES were 35.6±12.4, 63.4±10.4, 92.3±7.5. In NS group, the preoperative, 3 months and 12 months postoperative VAS were 6.7±1.9, 4.6±1.9, 2.0±1.2, UCLA were 14.8±3.0, 21.2±2.5, 31.7±2.3, ASES were 32.7±13.8, 55.8±11.8, 90.7±8.1. Three months postoperative VAS, UCLA, ASES were statistically significant differenece in PRP group and NS group. Twelve months postoperative VAS, UCLA, ASES were not statistically significant differenece in the two groups. Conclusion Using autologous PRP gel in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair can speed up the healing of operation incision with no adverse effect, reduce pain in the postoperation three months, accelerate the rotator cuff repair and recovery of the function of shoulder joint. It has good short-term clinical effect. Key words: Platelet rich plasma; Shoulder; Lacerations; Reconstructive surgical procedures