Randomized prospective trial of saphenous vein harvest site infection after wound closure with and without topical application of autologous platelet-rich plasma

• Published in: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery 2011-01, Vol.39 (1), p.44-48
• Main Authors: Almdahl, Sven M., Veel, Terje, Halvorsen, Per, Vold, Mona Bekken, Mølstad, Per
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiopulmonary Bypass; Coronary Artery Bypass - methods; Esthetics; Female; Humans; Leg - surgery; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Pneumology; Prospective Studies; Saphenous Vein - surgery; Saphenous Vein - transplantation; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the heart; Surgical Wound Infection - etiology; Surgical Wound Infection - prevention & control; Tissue and Organ Harvesting - methods
• ISSN: 1010-7940; 1873-734X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcts.2010.06.007

Abstract Objective: Wound infection is still a common problem after open long saphenous vein harvesting. Platelets are important for the healing process. The hypothesis was that spraying of the wounds with platelet-rich plasma might reduce the frequency of harvest site infections. Methods: From January to October 2008, 140 patients undergoing first-time coronary artery bypass grafting were randomized into two groups of 70 patients. Both groups had standard surgical leg wound closure and care except topical application of platelet-rich plasma as adjunctive treatment in the active treatment group. End points were wound infection and cosmetic result at 6 weeks. Results: The follow-up was 100% complete. Nine patients (13%) in the treatment group and eight (11%) in the control group experienced harvest site infection (p = 0.80). The overall cosmetic result was also similar between the groups (p = 0.34), but the top score was borderline and more frequent in the treatment group (p = 0.050). Conclusion: Topical application of autologous platelet-rich plasma on vein harvest wounds did not reduce the rate of surgical site infection.