Platelet-rich plasma (PRP/ACP) in breast cancer patients Post-surgical complication rates and long term comparative analysis of the treatment 163 sentinel node biopsy patients

Introduction Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is widely used in sports medicine, tissue repair and general surgery. Recent meta-analyses and prospective trials showed this product to be beneficial when introduced into a wound area.

Patients and methods Between the years 2015 and 2018, n = 163 patients received a sentinel node biopsy at the municipal hospital of Cologne, Holweide, Germany. The PRP product used was the Arthrex ACP^® (autologous conditioned plasma) system. Patient recruitment was consecutive. Analysis was retrospective. The PRP product was introduced subcutaneously after wound closure. N=82 patients received an application of Arthrex ACP^® compared to the control group n =  81. Primary endpoints were complication rate (seroma, revision, hematoma, infection); secondary endpoints were local, ipsilateral, contralateral and distant recurrence as well as any-cause of death at a median follow-up of 17 months.

Results Global complication rates did not differ significantly between both cohorts. There is a numerical, but non-significant advantage in seroma formation (2.4 % (ACP) vs. 3.7 % (control)). The same was shown for hematoma formation (0 %(ACP) vs. 3.7 % (control)). Surgical time did not increase with ACP application. Patient satisfaction was high. Secondary endpoint showed zero events for 17 month follow-up.

Conclusion This is the second long term retrospective analysis showing that PRP products such as Arthrex ACP^® seem to be safe to use in oncological patients. In addition, this work is the first to demonstrate a slight benefit in a sentinel node biopsy setting for breast cancer patients.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 June 2020