title: Treatment of refractory venous stasis ulcers with autologous platelet-rich plasma and light-emitting diodes: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stasis dermatitis with secondary ulcer formation is not only therapeutically challenging but also significantly decreases the quality of life for affected individuals. Recently, autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has entered the therapeutic regimen for leg ulcers, while light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are now used to accelerate wound healing.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy and safety of autologous PRP with concomitant LED therapy for the treatment of venous stasis dermatitis with secondary ulceration.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 16 Korean patients with ulcers secondary to venous stasis dermatitis were enrolled in this study. Each lesion was treated with autologous PRP weakly, and LED therapy three times per week. Treatments continued for 6 weeks or until the ulcer completely reepithelialized without evidence of drainage. Not only were subjects objectively evaluated by a study investigator, their own subjective satisfaction was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The combined autologous PRP and LED therapy was well tolerated and safe. A statistically significant improvement was observed post-therapeutically in the clinical parameters of pain, itching, heaviness, paresthesia, cramps, and leg swelling. There was also a significant decrease in ulcer size. None of the patients showed worsening of their venous stasis ulcer. Regarding subject satisfaction with the regimen, 75.0% of participants reported being 'satisfied or very satisfied' with their overall improvement after treatment. No significant adverse effects were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined autologous PRP and LED therapy is a promising conservative combination regimen for treating recalcitrant ulcerating stasis dermatitis. Additional studies comparing combined autologous PRP and LED therapy directly with autologous PRP or LED monotherapies are needed to confirm the results reported here.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kui Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: In Su
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: In Kwon
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: Beom Joon
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Myeung Nam
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects