Platelet-rich plasma in skin ulcer treatment.

INTRODUCTION Chronic vascular ulcers are associated with a high use of resources. Conventional treatment consists of wound cleansing, necrotic tissue debridement, prevention, diagnosis, and, if necessary, treatment of infection and dressing application; although conventional treatment has limited effectiveness with wound healing (around 15-30%).8-11 Platelet-rich plasma, used in various fields of medicine, improves chronic vascular ulcer results, but is more expensive. METHODS A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using a 48-week period comparing plateletrich plasma with standard care. A meta-analysis of papers identified by a literature search was done. RESULTS A combined measure of effectiveness at 12 weeks for each treatment option was calculated and served as the basis for estimating the probability of healing at 48 weeks with a Markov model. CONCLUSIONS The probability of healing and associated costs were 56% and €5224 using platelet-rich plasma and 31% and €5133 with usual care. The incremental cost that must be assumed to achieve additional healing with platelet-rich plasma is €364. .