The application of platelet-rich plasma during laparotomy in patients with gynaecological malignancies improves wound healing and reduces postoperative pain feeling - a single-blind placebo controlled intervention study (preliminary report).

Introduction: This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) application into the wound during laparotomy in gynaecological cancer patients on wound healing and postoperative pain.

Material And Methods: Forty-six patients undergoing surgical treatment due to gynaecological malignancies were included in this single-blind placebo-controlled intervention study: 23 women in the PRP group and 23 patients in the placebo group. Postoperative pain was assessed by using the visual analogue scale immediately after surgery, and 6 and 12 hours after the surgery. The use of analgesics after surgery was also recorded. The postoperative scar was assessed by patient and clinician using the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS).

Results: Wound dehiscence was diagnosed in 1 (4.3%) patient in the PRP group and 4 (17.4%) women in the control group ( = 0.346). After adjustment, the risk of wound dehiscence after PRP application was significantly lower in comparison to the control group (odds ratio - OR, 0.17; 95% CI: 0.03-0.92; = 0.040). The risk of reporting more intense pain associated with PRP treatment 12 hours after surgery was significantly reduced (OR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.07-0.83; = 0.023). Platelet-rich-plasma patients required fewer total morphine doses than the control group (8.22 ±3.3 vs. 10.96 ±5.05; = 0.048). Significant differences between the groups in the scar quality assessment were also detected on the basis of POSAS scale on days 8, 30, and 90 after surgery.

Conclusions: Platelet-rich-plasma application during abdominal closure in gynaecological cancer patients may improve wound healing, as well as reduce pain and the use of analgesics in the early postoperative period.