Platelet-rich plasma may help protect the uterus after surgical abortion, study finds
image: In this study, 101 women visiting the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department requiring surgical abortion were approached between March 2021 and March 2022. Of these, 32 refused to participate. Finally, 69 patients were enrolled in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. However, at the time of admission, one patient withdrew consent, whereas two other patients underwent spontaneous expulsion of the POCs, thereby not requiring surgical abortion. Therefore, a total of 66 patients were recruited for this study. After randomization, a treatment plan was formulated. Thirty-three patients in each group underwent PRP D&E or D&E alone. Three patients in each arm did not respond to the follow-up intimation. Therefore, 30 patients were included in the final analysis.
Credit: Singh, Akanksha; Jha, Sangam; Das, Bankim.
Researchers from AIIMS Patna in India tested whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a concentrated portion of a patient’s own blood rich in healing growth factors, could help the uterus heal more effectively after surgery. Their randomized controlled trial, published in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, followed 66 women who underwent surgical abortion and compared outcomes between those who received PRP inside the uterus and those who did not.
Intrauterine adhesions occur when scar tissue forms inside the uterus, causing the uterine walls to stick together. They are relatively common after surgical procedures and are often under-diagnosed because only symptomatic patients undergo diagnostic evaluation. In the study, half of the women received a small dose of PRP into the uterus immediately after surgery, while the others received standard care only. Eight weeks later, all participants underwent hysteroscopy.
The results were clear. Only 10% of women in the PRP group developed intrauterine adhesions, compared with nearly 30% in the control group. Women who did develop adhesions in the PRP group also tended to have much milder scarring. “PRP does not completely eliminate adhesions, but it clearly reduces both their frequency and severity,” Dr. Jha explained.
The researchers also identified important risk factors for developing adhesions. Women who were more than 12 weeks pregnant at the time of abortion, had multiple previous abortions, or had undergone repeated suction procedures were much more likely to develop adhesion. These findings may help doctors identify women who would benefit most from preventive treatments.
PRP works by releasing natural growth factors that promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation. “Because PRP comes from the patient’s own blood, it is safe, affordable, and widely available,” said co-author Dr. Akanksha Singh. “This makes it a promising option for routine clinical practice, especially in low-resource settings.”
Despite the encouraging results, authors noted that larger studies in different populations are needed to confirm the findings. In addition, there was no placebo treatment, and the scoring of adhesions depends on the doctor’s judgment, which can introduce some subjectivity. Overall, the study shows that platelet-rich plasma can play a meaningful role in preventing uterine adhesion after surgical abortion, offering a practical way to protect women’s reproductive health.