Preparation of platelet-rich plasma from small volume of whole blood - a simplified approach
Ogundipe, O.K.; Ugboko, V.I.; Owotade, F.J.; Paul-Odo, B.; Afariogun, A.B.
Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal 19(3): 133-136
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1117-1936 PMID: 23064167 Document Number: 659634
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is frequently used to enhance wound healing in numerous surgical applications. There are many methods of preparation of PRP. The present report describes a laboratory technique which is rapid, simple and inexpensive for preparing PRP from small volume of whole blood. Whole blood was drawn from 30 patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery. PRP was prepared by the modified open system. Platelet counts for whole blood and PRP were determined using a cell counter. The data from 30 patients aged 20 to 33 years, with a mean of 24.4 (± 3.3) and male : female ratio of 1:1.1, were analysed. The platelet count in PRP was 3,157,667 ± 984,380 while that in whole blood was 268,667 (± 64,678) platelets /cubic ml, reflecting an 11-fold increase in platelet concentration. No effect of gender or ageing on platelet count was observed. This study demonstrates a simple, rapid and inexpensive technique that is useful in obtaining platelets concentrated approximately 11-fold.