Evaluation of platelet-rich plasma and fibrin matrix to assist in healing and repair of rotator cuff injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective:

To perform a meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin matrix for improving healing of rotator cuff injuries.

Data sources/design:

A meta-analysis of eligible studies was performed after searching Medline, Cochrane, and EMBASE on 14 December 2015.

Setting:

University hospital.

Participants:

Patients with rotator cuff injuries.

Review methods/intervention:

Databases were searched using the keywords “PRP or platelet-rich plasma,” “PRFM or platelet-rich fibrin matrix,” “rotator cuff,” and “platelet-rich” for studies comparing outcomes of patients with rotator cuff injuries that did and did not receive a platelet-rich product.

Main measures:

The primary outcome was a functional score change from pre- to post-treatment (Score_post–Score_pre). The secondary outcome was a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score change from pre- to post-treatment (VAS_post–VAS_pre).

Results:

A total of 11 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The total number of patients that received platelet-rich plasma or platelet-rich fibrin matrix was 320 and the number of control patients was 318. The standard difference in means of the functional scores was similar between patients administered platelet-rich plasma/fibrin matrix and patients in the control group (standard difference in means for functional scores = 0.029; 95% confidence interval (CI): –0.132 to 0.190; p = 0.725). The standard difference in means was similar between patients administered platelet-rich plasma and the controls (standard difference in means = 0.142; 95% CI: –0.080 to 0.364; p = 0.209).

Conclusion:

The results of this meta-analysis do not support the use of platelet-rich plasma/platelet-rich fibrin matrix in patients with rotator cuff injuries.

Keywords

Platelet plasma fibrin healing repair rotator cuff

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