Las heridas crónicas continúan siendo un importante problema de salud pública, tanto en España como en otros países de nuestro entorno afectando a pacientes de todos los niveles asistenciales. Ello plantea a los profesionales de la salud un desafío en la curación de las mismas. Se ha experimentado un notable avance en la aplicación el plasma rico en plaquetas y sus derivados, aunque existen ciertas controversias en cuanto a la mejora de la cicatrización de estas heridas. Objetivo: analizar la efectividad del uso de plasma rico en plaquetas en pacientes adultos para promover la cicatrización de las heridas crónicas. Metodología: se realiza una revisión bibliográfica de la literatura científica mediante búsqueda en diferentes bases de datos y limitándose esta búsqueda a artículos publicados en los últimos 10 años, en idiomas en inglés y español. Resultados: se incluyeron 8 estudios que proporcionan información científica sobre la eficacia del uso de plasma rico en plaquetas en la mejora de la cicatrización de las heridas crónicas. En total se seleccionaros 2 revisiones sistemáticas, una de ellas con meta-análisis y 3 ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, así como 3 Guías de Práctica Clínica. Conclusiones: el plasma rico en plaquetas puede mejorar la cicatrización de las heridas crónicas, disminuyendo el área, el tiempo de curación y la mínima aparición de efectos adversos. Es necesario protocolizar la producción del PRP, su cantidad y composición y la frecuencia de aplicación, a la vez que se recomienda la elaboración de trabajos con alta evidencia científica para poder discernir más fehacientemente la efectividad de dicho tratamiento. Palabras clave: Heridas crónicas, Úlceras, Plasma rico en plaquetas y Cicatrización de heridas.Chronic wounds continue to be an important public health problem, both in Spain and in other countries of our environment affecting patients of all levels of care. This is a challenge for health professionals in order to cure them. Significant progress has been made in the application of platelet-rich plasma and its derivatives, although there are some controversies regarding the improvement of the healing of these wounds. Objective: to analyze the effectiveness of the use of platelet-rich plasma in adult patients to promote the healing of chronic wounds. Methodology: a bibliographical review of the scientific literature has been carried out through a search in different databases and this search has been limited to articles published in the last 10 years, in English or Spanish languages. Results: eight studies providing scientific information on the efficacy of the use of platelet-rich plasma in improving healing of chronic wounds were included. In total, 2 systematic reviews were selected, one with meta-analysis and 3 randomized clinical trials, as well as 3 clinical practice guidelines. Conclusions: platelet-rich plasma can improve the healing of chronic wounds, decreasing the area, healing time and minimal occurrence of adverse effects. It is necessary to record platelet-rich plasma production, its quantity and composition and frequency of application. It is also recommended the elaboration of works with high scientific evidence to be able to discern more reliably the effectiveness of this treatment. Key words: Chronic wounds, Ulcer, Platelet-rich plasma and Wound healing.

Chronic wounds continue to be an important public health problem, both in Spain and in other countries of our environment affecting patients of all levels of care. This is a challenge for health professionals in order to cure them. Significant progress has been made in the application of platelet-rich plasma and its derivatives, although there are some controversies regarding the improvement of the healing of these wounds. Objective: to analyze the effectiveness of the use of platelet-rich plasma in adult patients to promote the healing of chronic wounds. Methodology: a bibliographical review of the scientific literature has been carried out through a search in different databases and this search has been limited to articles published in the last 10 years, in English or Spanish languages. Results: eight studies providing scientific information on the efficacy of the use of platelet-rich plasma in improving healing of chronic wounds were included. In total, 2 systematic reviews were selected, one with meta-analysis and 3 randomized clinical trials, as well as 3 clinical practice guidelines. Conclusions: platelet-rich plasma can improve the healing of chronic wounds, decreasing the area, healing time and minimal occurrence of adverse effects. It is necessary to record platelet-rich plasma production, its quantity and composition and frequency of application. It is also recommended the elaboration of works with high scientific evidence to be able to discern more reliably the effectiveness of this treatment.

I Edición de los Premios de la Cátedra Poncemar de Gerontología. Trabajo ganador en la en la modalidad de fin de Grado en Enfermería (TFG)