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

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.