Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma is a concentration of human platelets in a small volume of plasma 1. Platelets are vehicles for the delivery of growth factors (PDGF, TGF-ß, IGF, EGF, VEGF) that induce proliferation of fibroblasts, osteoblasts and endothelial cells, promoting and accelerating healing of hard and soft tissues 2, 3.

Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma also contains fibrin, fibronectin and vitronectin that act as cell adhesion molecules for osteoconduction and as a matrix for bone, connective tissue and epithelial migration 4.

Application of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma has been evaluated in various medical disciplines including orthopaedics, sports medicine, wound healing, neurosurgery, dentistry, ophthalmology as well as cosmetic, plastic, maxillofacial and cardiothoracic surgery.

• 1.    Marx RE Platelet-Rich Plasma: Evidence to Support Its Use Oral Maxillofac Surg, 62:489-496, 2004.
• 2.    Marx RE, Carlson ER, Eichstaedt R, Schimmele SR, Strauss JE and Georgeff KR. Platelet rich plasma: Growth factor enhancement for bone grafts. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, 85:638, 1998.
• 3.    Kevy S, Jacobson M. Preparation of growth factors enriched autologous platelet gel. Proceedings of the 27th Annual Meeting of Service Biomaterials, April 2001.
• 4.    Marx RE. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): What Is PRP and What Is Not PRP? Implant Dent., 10: 225-228, 2001.