Clinical Study on Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment for Refractory Benign Airway Stenosis

Platelet-rich plasma(PRP), is a concentrate of platelet-rich plasma protein derived from whole blood. The main components of it are platelets, leukocytes and fibrin. Autologous PRP treatment can avoid the immune rejection caused by exogenous growth factor and the spread of disease. Evidence of the efficacy and safety of PRP has been proven in many studies. Benign central airway stenosis is characterized by airway compromise involving the larynx, trachea, or bronchi and will lead to devastating consequences. Unfortunately, the incidence of this disease is increasing steadily. As most important treatment for benign airway stenosis, respiratory intervention has become one of the most common treatments to fight the disease. However, the restenosis caused by tissue hyperplasia, wound repair and scar formation after treatment is still common, which remains the limitation of respiratory intervention. Long-term efficacy of repeated interventional treatment is unsatisfying, too. Several studies have discovered similar mechanism between stenosis of tracheal to hyperplastic scar of skin, both of which are relative with deep structure injury such as the intrinsic layer of airway mucosa. PRP has shown significant efficacy for hyperplastic scar of skin. Correspondingly, PRP will be applied as treatment of refractory benign airway stenosis to reduce restenosis by inhibit the formation of granulation.