Combined Use of Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma for Chronic Ulceration of the Diabetic Lower Limb Improves Wound Healing
Shilu Yin, Xin Yang, Hongsen Bi, Zhenmin Zhao
Abstract
The discovery of stromal vascular fraction cells and platelet-rich plasma in promoting tissue regeneration has prompted a new idea for the treatment of chronic diabetic ulcer of the lower limb. The study aim was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a new method that applied stromal vascular fraction cells and platelet-rich plasma together in the treatment of recalcitrant chronic diabetic ulcer. We conducted a single-center, prospective, open, noncontrolled study. Four patients (5 ulcers in total) who had received standard treatment for diabetic ulcer for at least 3 months that failed to heal was enrolled. All patients were treated with surgical debridement, cell suspension (stromal vascular fraction cells suspended by platelet-rich plasma) injection into the wound, and platelet-rich plasma gel coverage. Wounds were measured every week after treatment using a 2-dimensional digital camera and a 3-dimensional wound measurement device. All patients were followed-up for 4 months after the treatment. Four of the 5 ulcers healed completely within a mean of 71.75 ± 29.57 days. The average proportion of granulation tissue achieved 100% within 4 weeks for all cases. The wound size decreased to less than half of the original size for all cases 4 weeks after the treatment. Findings revealed that the new treatment is efficient to achieve wound healing in patients with recalcitrant chronic diabetic ulcer of lower limb.