Efficacy and safety of autologous platelet-rich plasma in anal fistula: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of autologous PRP in anal fistula. METHODS: The search was done in electronic databases such as; PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, and Cochrane Library. The outcomes investigated in this study were the rate of improvement, the rate of recurrence, and the rate of fecal incontinence. RESULTS: Cure, incontinence, and recurrence rates were 68% (95% CI, .60–.76), 27% (95% CI, .12–.46), and 18% (95% CI, .12–.26), respectively. The pooled improvement ratio in patients treated with PRP compared to control group was 1.35 times, which was statistically significant (pooled OR=1.35, 95% CI, 1.14–1.60, P<001). The pooled recurrence ratio in patients treated with PRP compared to control group was 1.17, which was not statistically significant (pooled OR=1.17, 95% CI, 0.44–3.11). DISCUSSION: Platelet-rich plasma is an effective method of healing people with anal fistula.