journal article·2025-06-19Open access

Potential Applications of PRP-Enhanced Polybutylene Succinate Graft as Vascular Access for Chemotherapy in Oncological Patients: A Systematic Review

Andrea Gottardo, Giulia Bonventre, Tancredi Didier Bazan Russo, Pietro Zanatta, Giulia Lo Monte, Valerio Gristina, Antonio Galvano, Antonio Russo, Attilio Ignazio Lo Monte

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the potential of combining platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) for the development of vascular grafts in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Relevant articles published in English or Italian were selected through a comprehensive search of MEDLINE (via PubMed) and the Cochrane Library. A total of ten screened articles and two additional relevant studies were included. The synthesis of results was conducted using digital tools, thoroughly reviewed by the authors. The quality assessment of the included studies revealed a medium-to-high risk of bias, with frequent limitations such as small sample sizes, experimental designs, and overall moderate to low methodological quality. Despite the heterogeneity of the findings, the available evidence suggests that radiocephalic graft placement and the use of PBS as a scaffold material, in combination with the growth factors contained in PRP, may improve clinical outcomes and reduce complications related to arteriovenous graft implantation. While promising, the current literature on this topic remains scarce and fragmented, underscoring the need for additional preclinical and clinical research. The proposed approach appears to hold potential for improving vascular access in oncology, but further in vivo validation is essential. This study received no external funding. Registration: PROSPERO ID CRD42025646724.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Reconstructive Surgery and Microvascular Techniques · Central Venous Catheters and Hemodialysis · Vascular Procedures and Complications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care Area (Me.Pre.C.C.) Department, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy

Independent Researcher, 90036 Misilmeri, Italy

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