Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in chronic penile lichen sclerosus: the impact on tissue repair and patient quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that frequently involves the anogenital region. Ongoing research is focused on finding more effective treatments for tissue repair and reducing symptoms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) local injections in penile LS.


METHODS
Forty-five male patients affected by penile LS underwent injections of autologous PRP in the affected skin areas. Age at diagnosis and at first treatment, number of treatments, clinical conditions (phimosis, splitting, inflammation, synechiae, meatus stenosis), symptoms (pain, burning, itching), and functional impairment were considered. Treatment efficacy was also evaluated through the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) on a six-point Likert scale and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).


RESULTS
The patient age at LS diagnosis was 36.20 ± 9.19 years, while the mean age at the first PRP treatment was 42.96 ± 11.32 years (p < 0.001). The number of treatments/patient ranged from 2 to 10. The follow-up was 17.60 ± 5.63 months. After PRP injections, it was observed in all patients a significant improvement in clinical conditions, with reduction/disappearance of symptoms. Topical steroid therapy, interrupted before PRP treatment, was not restarted by any patient. Only one patient underwent a later circumcision procedure. Both IGA scale and DLQI score showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) before and after PRP treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
PRP treatment in penile LS seems to be helpful to regenerate scarring, reduce symptoms, and improve patient quality of life. Further studies are necessary to evaluate long-term results.
Department of Regenerative Plastic Surgery, Gallino Hospital, ASL 3 Liguria, Via A. Gallino 5, 16164, Genoa, Italy.
Francesco
F
Casabona
Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Via De Toni 16, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Ilaria
I
Gambelli
Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Via De Toni 16, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Federica
F
Casabona
Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Via De Toni 16, 16132, Genoa, Italy.|Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, IRCCS San Martino University Hospital-IST Genova, L.Go Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Pierluigi
P
Santi
Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Via De Toni 16, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Gregorio
G
Santori
Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Via De Toni 16, 16132, Genoa, Italy. ilaria.baldelli@unige.it.|Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, IRCCS San Martino University Hospital-IST Genova, L.Go Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy. ilaria.baldelli@unige.it.
Ilaria
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9159-7866
I
Baldelli
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000150:complications; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010409:Penile Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D010688:Phimosis / Q000150:complications; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
Lichen sclerosus; Male genitalia; PRP; Penile disease; Platelet-rich plasma; Quality of life; Tissue repair