STANDARD
Department: Quality Improvement
Document Identifier: SD/HCO/011/02
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is the name given to blood plasma with a high concentration of platelets that contains huge doses of bioactive proteins, such as growth factors, that are critical in the repair and regeneration of tissues. In order to extract these platelets an amount of 10 ml to 60 ml of blood is drawn from the patient and it immediately undergoes centrifugation, a process in which mixtures are separated using centripetal force. This process separates out red blood cells, which carry oxygen, and the platelet and the plasma. The platelets with the plasma have all of the healing agents. Once the separation is done, the platelet-rich plasma is extracted and can then be injected back into either the patient's injured area, or the area in the patient's body intended for therapy.
Growth factors can enhance tissue recovery and the special proteins also initiate blood vessel formation, bone regeneration and healing, connective tissue repair, and wound healing. There is little chance for rejection...