PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP) - ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE OBI PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC

Today’s Florida Times Union Health and Fitness section featured a story regarding the innovative use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for sports injuries. The history of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and its impact on sports medicine is somewhat nebulous. PRP application for dental procedures predates sports medicine by nearly a decade. PRP and stem cell technology have roots in veterinary medicine and research, through Dolly the sheep - the first cloned animal.

The efficacy of certain growth factors in healing various injuries and the concentrations of these growth factors found within PRP are the theoretical basis for the use of PRP in tissue repair. The platelets collected in PRP are activated by the addition of thrombin and calcium chloride, which induces the release of growth factors and other cytokines present in PRP. There are at least eight different growth factors that are contained in PRP as well as antibacterial elements. Platelet-Rich Plasma has been utilized by many specialties, including plastic surgery, for many years and is FDA-approved.

For several months, Dr. Lewis Obi has researched a relatively new application of PRP in the area of stem cell fat grafting, Adivive™, utilized in the OPERA Lift – a procedure which he developed more than a year ago. PRP is mixed with Adivive fat to enhance viability, reduce bruising and also for antibacterial benefits. Many other procedures such as face lifts, breast surgery and tummy tucks are procedures that may benefit from the addition of PRP.

The MAGELLAN™ Autologous Platelet Separator by Arteriocyte was acquired by the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic this month and will be in operation by next week.

Arteriocyte in partnership with Medtronics are the industrial leaders in autologous cellular components including PRP technology.