About PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)

In the last 10 years, scientific research and technology have presented new perspective regarding the understanding of the healing process. The use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been shown to be responsible for liberating many bioactive proteins and growth factors. The release of these growth factors and recruitment of stem cells and macrophage can promote healing and improve the rate of the healing process. Multiple studies in animal and humans support the use of platelet rich plasma for wound healing and tissue regeneration. There are now consensus statements that platelet rich plasma can be used in situations of infection, wound healing, muscle injury, and ligament tear. It is used extensively in cosmetic facial plastic surgery as well as an orthopedic surgery in order to improve wound healing and repair.

The use of platelet rich plasma in the vocal folds has been limited to studies of direct injection of pharmacologically prepared growth factors. Unfortunately, the use of growth factors in this country has not been approved and will not see approval for many years. An alternative method for recruitment of growth factors in the patient is by use of platelet rich plasma from the patient.

We believe the use of PRP will be of benefit in healing of vocal fold injury from traumatic causes.

The procedure involves drawing up of 20 cc of your blood. This will then be processed using a centrifuge to separate out the platelet rich plasma portion for direct injection back into the vocal fold. Sterile procedures will be followed. The procedure is performed as a standard injection into the vocal folds by a board certified otolaryngologist with experience doing such injections.

Platelet rich plasma may be helpful in the healing process of your vocal fold injury.

The potential benefits for injection of platelet rich plasma would be:

• Accelerated wound healing with reduced downtime from vocal injury
• Improved regenerative benefits in patient with vocal fold scar
• Improved volume and suppleness of vocal folds

The possible risks from doing the injection would be:

• There is a risk of bruising from the blood draw.
• The volume of the injection is small but not insignificant and may cause a small amount of swelling. The PRP may increase and accelerate healing change that lasts several days. During that time the voice may be hoarse as in acute laryngitis.

You will be followed approximately one month after the injection. The alternative to this injection is to do nothing except observation or medication.