Effect of Topical Liquid Nitrogen on Pain Reduction during Intradermal Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Scalp in Androgenic Alopecia

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of topical liquid Nitrogen and normal saline on pain during intradermal Platelet-rich Plasma therapy in androgenic alopecia. Study Design: Prospective Comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: Tertiary Care Hospital, Gujranwala Pakistan, from Mar to Nov 2021. Methodology: Sixty-four patients with the clinical diagnosis of androgenic alopecia were enrolled after informed consent.After liquid Nitrogen contact application, Group- A patients opted to receive intradermal Platelet-rich Plasma on the scalp. In contrast, patients in Group-B opted to receive Platelet-rich Plasma after normal Saline topical application for improved pain tolerance. Results: Out of Sixty-four patients, there were 45(70.3%) males, 19(29.7%) females. Pain in intradermal Platelet-rich Plasma injection of the scalp in Group-A had a median (IQR) score of 4 (3-5), while Group-B had a median (IQR) of 5(3-7.5). Patient satisfaction score at the end of three sessions of PRP in group-A had a median (IQR) of 1.5(1-2), and in Group-B, a median (IQR) of 2(1-2). Conclusion: Topical liquid Nitrogen application improved pain tolerance during intradermal Platelet-rich Plasma therapy in androgenic alopecia compared to normal saline. Satisfaction of patients with Platelet-rich Plasma therapy between the two groups had no significant difference.

Keywords

• Androgenic alopecia
• Platelet-rich plasma therapy
• Painless platelet-rich plasma therapy