Use of Autologous Leucocyte- and Platelet-Rich Plasma (L-PRP) in the Treatment of Aural Hematoma in Dogs

Leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) can accelerate the healing process by providing increased concentrations of platelet-derived growth factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of L-PRP in the treatment of canine aural hematomas associated with otitis externa. Twenty mL of citrated whole blood was collected from each of the 17 dogs included and autologous L-PRP was produced. The aural hematoma was drained and 0.5-1 mL of L-PRP was injected. The dogs were examined weekly until 7 days after complete clinical healing. A final clinical follow-up was performed 6 weeks after the first treatment with L-PRP. If there was recurrence of the aural hematoma at the first follow-up, the treatment was repeated. In total, 2/17 cases were lost after the first follow-up. In 5/17 dogs, a short-term recurrence occurred. In 12/15 cases, complete clinical resolution was achieved with a single L-PRP application (Group A1) and in 3/15 with two treatments (Group A2). The mean time to complete clinical resolution was 16 +/- 8.7 days (A1) and 23.3 +/- 4 days (A2), respectively. No side effects were reported. The in situ administration of autologous L-PRP resulted in a complete resolution of the aural hematoma in all dogs that completed the clinical trial.