Management of Large Chronic Non-healing Wounds by Autogenous Platelet Rich Plasma and Reconstructive Surgery in Three Cats

Case Description- Three domestic short haired cats (2, 5 and 4 years of age) were presented to the Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, with the history of large chronic, full thickness wounds on the right lateral cervical, left caudal forearm and right lateral thoracic region respectively. Etiology of the wounds was trauma in two cases and thermal burns in the third case. Clinical findings- Physical examination revealed yellowish colored wound with putrid odour and purulent discharge. The subcutaneous tissues were exposed; necrotic tissues and foreign debris were noticed. Treatment and Outcome- In all the three cases, mechanical debridement of the open wound was done by lavaging with sterile normal saline (500 ml) mixed with amikacin sulphate (250 mg) with a 20 ml syringe fixed with a sterile 22 gauge needle to produce a lavaging pressure of 22 psi. Autologous platelet rich plasma was prepared, activated with calcium gluconate(10%) and applied on days 0, 7, 14 respectively on the open wound impregnated with chlorhexidene gauze and bandaging done. Once a healthy granulation bed was formed, reconstructive surgery was planned and performed to close the defect. Clinical relevance- Application of platelet rich plasma remains a viable option for enhancing the granulation tissue formation and early wound bed preparation, before large wounds could be reconstructed with skin flaps. All the above three cases were treated with autologous platelet rich plasma for early granulation and recipient bed preparation followed by reconstructive surgery.