Filling Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma Gel as a New Method to Treat En Coup de Sabre Scleroderma

In a pilot study from July 2020, Platelet-rich Plasma Gel (PRPG) was used as a filling injection to treat en coup de sabre scleroderma in five patients. The PRPG was prepared by heating pre-separated PRP to 70 degrees Celsius for 14 minutes and then injected into subcutaneous tissue gaps under anesthesia. The treatment, administered at a concentration 3.5 times above baseline, showed significant relief in subjective symptoms of pain and tightness after at least one injection. After three cycles of monthly treatments, improvements were observed in skin elasticity, dermal and subcutaneous tissue thickness, and vascular network density, with some patients even experiencing hair growth in atrophied scalp areas. Despite the promising results, the study had limitations, including a small sample size, no comparison group, and the inability to pinpoint the exact role of each factor. Nonetheless, PRPG was suggested as a potential regenerative treatment for en coup de sabre scleroderma, offering an alternative to traditional tissue fillers like hyaluronic acid and collagen, with minimal side effects.