title: Evaluation of the effect of platelet-rich plasma on recovery after ablative fractional photothermolysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite the advantages and reduced recovery time of ablative fractional photothermolysis, patients still seek adjuvant treatments to reduce healing time and facilitate their return to normal social and work activity. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used for many applications in various surgical fields for its ability to improve wound healing, hemostasis, and graft survival.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether PRP will be an effective adjunctive treatment to fractional carbon dioxide resurfacing and reduce healing time and duration of adverse effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective blinded study of male and female patients 18 years or older and with Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV performed at Miami Institute for Age Management and Intervention.
  Using a fractional carbon dioxide laser (60 mJ at 150 Hz), a 1-cm2 area was treated on each forearm of every patient. Immediately after the laser treatment, patients were randomized to receive PRP in the right or left forearm and saline in the other forearm. Pictures of each forearm were taken immediately after injection of PRP and then on a daily basis until reepithelialization (eschar formation) occurred.
  
  
  METHODS
  Posttreatment erythema, edema, and reepithelialization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvement in posttreatment erythema was observed in PRP-treated arms across 94 comparisons in 15 patients. Improvement was defined as the erythema rating of the untreated arm minus the erythema rating of the PRP-treated arm. The mean (standard error of the mean) improvement in grade was 0.26 (0.092; t statistic, 2.83; P = .003). A mean (standard error of the mean) improvement in edema grade of 0.13 (0.059) was also significant across 94 comparisons (t statistic, 2.20; P = .02). Our preliminary results suggest that PRP can objectively reduce erythema and edema following carbon dioxide fractional laser treatment. Most importantly, patients themselves have noticed a reduction in the common posttreatment effects: erythema, edema, pruritus, and discomfort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We anticipate that PRP can be an efficacious adjunctive treatment to carbon dioxide laser resurfacing and can aid patients in hastening their return to their normal routine.
  
  
  METHODS
  1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Haena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: The Miami Institute for Age Management and Intervention, Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gallo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004487:Edema / Q000517:prevention & control; D004890:Erythema / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D008297:Male; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing