Transcutaneous oximetry and laser Doppler flowmetry values in patients with chronic skin ulcers treated with platelet rich plasma and stromal vascular fraction cells: a pilot study

Abstract

Background

Stromal vascular fraction cells (SVFs) hold great promise for use in regenerative medicine applications, as a result of their ability to promote the healing process through in situ differentiation and the secretion of paracrine factors. The aim of this paper was to evaluate whether and how the topical application of SVF with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of chronic skin ulcers modified the cutaneous perfusion of the treated areas.

Methods

Perilesional laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and transcutaneous oximetry (tcpO₂) values were recorded for a 3-month period in 15 patients with chronic skin ulcers of various etiologies, who had been previously treated with single co-administered perilesional and intralesional injections of SVF+PRP.

Results

No significant differences were found between pretreatment, 1 month, and 3 month posttreatment values regarding both LDF values (basal: p = 0.10 and declivous: p = 0.0976) and declivous tcpO₂ levels (p = 0.0804). The only significant difference reported was between pretreatment and 3-month posttreatment basal tcpO₂ levels (p = 0.0466).

Conclusions

These results may reflect improved subcapillary circulation of the treated areas at 3 months postinjection, without a significant improvement in capillary perfusion.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.