Use of platelet-rich plasma in irradiated patients to treat and prevent complications of head and neck surgery

Abstract

Nowadays, many patients facing head and neck oncological surgery have a history of tissue irradiation. This represents an important risk factor for postsurgical complications, including dehiscences and fistulas. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained from the patient’s blood represents an easy, fast and inexpensive method for the prevention and treatment of such complications. We present three cases of previously irradiated patients in which PRP was successfully used to prevent and treat postsurgical complications.