Abstract
PRP is the acronym for platelet rich plasma, an autologous, biological blood derived product which is exogenously applied to tissue areas where regeneration or healing is desired. Together with the platelets, high concentration of essential growth factors is harvested, and these includes platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), interleukin-like factors (IGF), fibronectin to name but a few , which is thought to enhance repair. First described in 1987 with success in an open heart surgery in Italy, PRP has found its fame and is now widely used in many areas of specialty, including sports medicine for treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, orthopedics for enhancement of bone healing, osteoarthritis, aesthetics medicine where ladies and men alike inject PRP onto their faces to increase radiance and reduce wrinkles, and as recent as 2013 in the field of urology to treat organic erectile dysfunction. The potential of PRP treatment is limitless, with many upcoming large scale studies backing its success. Principles of its application include obtaining a platelet concentrate 3-5 times its normal physiological levels and injecting it into areas where healing is desired.
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