| Summary: | Philosophiae Doctor - PhD === Wound healing is a complex process that involves several overlapping and
interacting biological pathways. The consequences of delayed or abnormal
wound healing may result in tissue formation that has impaired function or
structural abnormalities. As a result, clinicians have sought ways to enhance
this process. Recently, the use of autologous platelet concentrates have
become popular in the management of wound healing sites. However,
controversy exists as to how these biomaterials should be prepared and
applied. We therefore sought to investigate whether a biologically viable and
clinically effective platelet concentrate could be prepared using standard
laboratory equipment. The findings are presented in a series of articles that
have been published in peer-reviewed journals. The results suggest that the
experimental platelet concentrate produced, has a morphological structure that
consists of a dense fibrin network intermingled with platelets, has the ability to
accelerate cellular growth in-vitro, has no adverse effects on cells in-vitro, can
concentrate and release a systemically ingested antibiotic over a period of 24
hours in-vitro, can be stored for at least 60 minutes without showing signs of
deterioration, and has shown clinical evidence of accelerating wound healing in
sinus augmentation and alveolar ridge preservation procedures. The reduced
cost of producing such a biomaterial allows it to be available to resource poor
settings and to wider range of healthcare providers as compared to standard
platelet concentration techniques. Further studies are required to investigate the
clinical potential of this promising biomaterial.
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