Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in chronic penile lichen sclerosus: the impact on tissue repair and patient quality of life

International Urology and Nephrology volume 49, pages 573–580 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that frequently involves the anogenital region. Ongoing research is focused on finding more effective treatments for tissue repair and reducing symptoms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) local injections in penile LS.

Methods

Forty-five male patients affected by penile LS underwent injections of autologous PRP in the affected skin areas. Age at diagnosis and at first treatment, number of treatments, clinical conditions (phimosis, splitting, inflammation, synechiae, meatus stenosis), symptoms (pain, burning, itching), and functional impairment were considered. Treatment efficacy was also evaluated through the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) on a six-point Likert scale and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

Results

The patient age at LS diagnosis was 36.20 ± 9.19 years, while the mean age at the first PRP treatment was 42.96 ± 11.32 years (p < 0.001). The number of treatments/patient ranged from 2 to 10. The follow-up was 17.60 ± 5.63 months. After PRP injections, it was observed in all patients a significant improvement in clinical conditions, with reduction/disappearance of symptoms. Topical steroid therapy, interrupted before PRP treatment, was not restarted by any patient. Only one patient underwent a later circumcision procedure. Both IGA scale and DLQI score showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) before and after PRP treatment.

Conclusions

PRP treatment in penile LS seems to be helpful to regenerate scarring, reduce symptoms, and improve patient quality of life. Further studies are necessary to evaluate long-term results.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Regenerative Plastic Surgery, Gallino Hospital, ASL 3 Liguria, Via A. Gallino 5, 16164, Genoa, Italy

    Francesco Casabona

  2. Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Via De Toni 16, 16132, Genoa, Italy

    Ilaria Gambelli, Federica Casabona, Pierluigi Santi, Gregorio Santori & Ilaria Baldelli

  3. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, IRCCS San Martino University Hospital–IST Genova, L.Go Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy

    Pierluigi Santi & Ilaria Baldelli

Authors
  1. Francesco Casabona
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  2. Ilaria Gambelli
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  3. Federica Casabona
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  4. Pierluigi Santi
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  5. Gregorio Santori
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  6. Ilaria Baldelli
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Correspondence to Ilaria Baldelli.

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Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The study received authorization for publication by the Regional Ethics Committee (358REG2016).

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Specific informed consent was obtained from all patients included in the study.

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Casabona, F., Gambelli, I., Casabona, F. et al. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in chronic penile lichen sclerosus: the impact on tissue repair and patient quality of life. Int Urol Nephrol 49, 573–580 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-017-1523-0

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Keywords

  • PRP
  • Platelet-rich plasma
  • Lichen sclerosus
  • Male genitalia
  • Penile disease
  • Tissue repair
  • Quality of life