PRP as an Adjunct to Rotator Cuff Tendon Repair

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment in the surgical repair of rotator cuff tears, which are common among patients, especially those over ۵۰ years old. It is believed that the use of PRP enhances the healing process at the tendon-bone interface and potentially leads to improved surgical outcomes. Despite its increased use, the efficacy of PRP is debated due to inconsistencies in clinical studies and variations in PRP formulations. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PRP on retear rates and functional outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. It also focused on inclusion criteria in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of PRP in patients undergoing surgical repair for full-thickness rotator cuff tears, extracting data on key variables such as retear rates, clinical scores, and demographic information using statistical analyses with RevMan software. Results: The analysis included seven RCTs involving ۵۴۱ patients, and the results showed a significant reduction in retear rates associated with PRP application, with a risk ratio (RR) of ۰.۳۸ (۹۵% CI: ۰.۲۲-۰.۶۸; p = ۰.۰۰۰۹). Furthermore, significant improvements in short-term functional outcomes were observed, indicating a mean difference score of ۳.۲۸ (۹۵% CI: ۱.۴۶-۵.۱۱; p = ۰.۰۰۰۴), while the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score improved with a mean difference of ۱.۶۰ (۹۵% CI: ۰.۷۹-۲.۴۲; p = ۰.۰۰۰۱). Additionally, pain levels measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) showed a significant reduction, with a mean difference of -۰.۱۴ (۹۵% CI: -۰.۲۳ to -۰.۰۵; p = ۰.۰۰۲). These findings suggest that the application of PRP contributes positively to early recovery and improved performance post-surgery. Conclusion: The review concludes that the use of PRP during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is beneficial, particularly in reducing retear rates and enhancing short-term functional outcomes in patients undergoing single-row repairs. While the evidence supports the efficacy of PRP as an adjunctive treatment, there is a call for high-quality RCTs to standardize PRP formulations and validate its long-term benefits.

کلیدواژه ها:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) ، rotator cuff repair ، retear rate ، functional outcomes ، systematic review ، arthroscopy