Title: 
Platelet Gels in Plastic Surgery

Word Count:
524

Summary:
Not everyone looks forward to any surgical procedure. In fact, even the most enthusiastic person about getting the best results from any procedure certainly feels uneasy and is concerned about the whole thing.


Keywords:
Platelet Gels, Plastic Surgery


Article Body:
Not everyone looks forward to any surgical procedure. In fact, even the most enthusiastic person about getting the best results from any procedure certainly feels uneasy and is concerned about the whole thing. 

What if the scars won’t fade? What if I don’t heal that fast? Would I be getting good results out of this? Is this worth it all?

There are a lot more concerns of course. The list could go on, but they would only show one thing: going through surgery, no matter how amazing the consequences would be, is not easy especially if the focus shift on to the fearsome world of wounds, scars, and results.

Fortunately, a lot of these worries can be eliminated now that platelet gels have come into existence. Platelet gels, also known as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has been known to improve the healing of surgical wounds, which in turn minimizes infection, swelling, pain, bruising, and scarring. PRP does all this while hastening the closure of the wound and improving incision lines.

Platelet-Rich Plasma is derived from the patient’s own blood. At the time of surgery, the plastic surgeon draws approximately 50 cc of the patient’s blood and he places that in a specialized centrifuge that spins and automatically separates the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma is further centrifuged to concentrate the autologous platelets and the patient’s natural growth factors. The plastic surgeon can now use it as needed in the surgical procedure.

PRP is 100% biocompatible and safe as it poses no infectious risks to patients due to the fact that it came from the patient’s own plasma.

The issue behind faster wound healing is largely attributed to the role platelets play in the whole process. Platelets provide initial homeostasis and release mediators to help modulate the inflammatory response. Growth factors, which are found in platelets, are proteins that aid in tissue or wound repair, which starts during clot formation. This way, patients undergoing plastic surgery like rhinoplasty, will be assured that the procedure won’t scar them for life, thanks to this amazing technique. 

Tracing its roots, Platelet-Rich Plasma was introduced in the oral and maxilofacial surgery years ago. A preliminary study concerning the use of PRP has shown that the injury of the alveoloplasty healed more quickly in the patients in which plasma enriched gel was employed. Patients experienced less pain and edema in the postoperative period. Hence, the same study recommends Platelet Rich Plasma as a valid protocol for the reconstruction in patients with congenital alveolar clefts.

With PRP’s excellence in speeding up the healing process, it is of no surprise that plastic surgeons are using it for their surgical operations. Besides, PRP is the only available product that contains elevated levels of natural occurring growth factors. That makes it the only solid and rational choice. 

Individuals seeking help in improving their looks without the terror of scars can now fully place their confidence in the plastic surgery field. The methods are generally gearing towards giving patients the best results possible, while minimizing, if not eliminating the discomfort and hassle normally associated with the procedure.