Scientific Article

Autologous Platelet Concentrate and Vacuum-Assisted Closure Device Use in a Nonhealing Total Knee Replacement

^* Department of Perfusion Services, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania
^† Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania
^‡ Department of Plastic Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania

Address correspondence to: Myra H. Klayman, Department of Perfusion Services, Zip 20-15, 100 N. Academy Avenue, Danville, PA 17822. E-mail: mklayman@geisinger.edu

Abstract

Following a total knee replacement surgery, a 51-year-old insulin-dependent patient presented with complications of impaired healing and postoperative trauma to the wound site. The inability of this leg wound to heal placed this patient at risk of amputation. Vacuum-assisted closure therapy was initiated at postoperative day 53; after 100 days of protracted wound history a series of treatments with topical platelet concentrates were added to the vacuum assisted closure therapy and conventional wound care therapy. The previous nonhealing wound presented with good granulation and margination that enabled a skin graft with good take on postoperative day 150.