Clinical Experience in Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using Platelet Concentrates from Blood Bank

Many clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of the platelet releasate or the platelet gel on chronic wounds. However, the patient's own blood had to be aspirated and processed to make the platelet releasate or a platelet gel. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of platelet concentrates from the blood bank for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. To obtain the basic data of the PDGF-BB content in platelet concentrates supplied from the blood bank, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay quantification was performed. On average, 8.5pg of the PDGF-BB was released per 1 million platelets. Sixteen patients with diabetic foot ulcers ranging from 1.0 to 18.0cm2(mean, 6.1cm2) in size were treated. The platelet concentrates was centrifuged and the precipitantte was mixed with 1ml of fibrinogen. The platelets and fibrinogen mixture was dispersed on to the ulcer lesions. The liquid platelet and fibrinogen mixture was then sealed using 0.3-1.0ml of thrombin and moisture dressing was performed. The procedure was repeated every one or two weeks until wound closure. Time required for complete healing ranged from 3 to 12 weeks after treatment(mean, 7.3 weeks). Patient satisfaction was also very positive. In this study, the use of platelet concentrates from the blood bank was found to be effective in treating diabetic foot ulcers.