The use of platelets obtained by centrifugation of plasma to repair tissues has been extended in clinical practice during the last years. There are enough evidences on the limitation of platelets as growth factors in the tissues where they are deposited and the effects of these factors on tissue repair events. Moreover, evidences of utility in clinical settings are negligible. The variety of techniques used in their preparation, differences in the used terminology, non-uniform casuistry, biased assessment of the methodology and lack of prospective studies preclude the understanding of its real clinical utility. In this article the different managements of platelets and activation of growth factors in clinical use are discussed.

The use of platelets obtained by centrifugation of plasma to repair tissues has been extended in clinical practice during the last years. There are enough evidences on the limitation of platelets as growth factors in the tissues where they are deposited and the effects of these factors on tissue repair events. Moreover, evidences of utility in clinical settings are negligible. The variety of techniques used in their preparation, differences in the used terminology, non-uniform casuistry, biased assessment of the methodology and lack of prospective studies preclude the understanding of its real clinical utility. In this article the different managements of platelets and activation of growth factors in clinical use are discussed.