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. 2022 Dec 22;55(4):376-382.
doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1759502. eCollection 2022 Dec.

The Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Reducing Pain, Pruritis, and Improving Wound Healing of Skin Graft Donor Site

Sheikh Sarfraz Ali  1 , Imran Ahmad  1 , Mohammed Fahud Khurram  1 , Gautam Chaudhury  1 , Somnath Karad  1 , Sudanshu Tripathi  1 , Aditi Sharma  1
Affiliations

The Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Reducing Pain, Pruritis, and Improving Wound Healing of Skin Graft Donor Site

Sheikh Sarfraz Ali et al. Indian J Plast Surg. .

Abstract

Background Wound healing is a dynamic and complex process. Therefore, no single agent can efficiently mediate all aspects of the wound healing process. Split-thickness graft has become a workhorse of plastic surgery for wound or raw area cover. In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the donor site and its effect in pain, purities, and epithelization. Materials and Methods This is a prospective study. A total of 15 patients were included who underwent split skin grafting for burns, trauma, or post-tumor excision raw area. PRP was prepared using standard described procedure. The donor site raw area after harvesting split-thickness graft was measured and the surface area was divided into two equal halves. One half was dressed using PRP and the other half was dressed using paraffin gauze piece only. The dressings were changed weekly for 3 weeks. Observation We found significant reduction in severity of pain and pruritis in the PRP group as compared with control group. Epithelization was faster in the PRP group on day 7 and 14, but the overall healing time was nearly the same by day 21. The side-by-side dressing thus show a definite improvement in the post-split-thickness skin graft wound care and PRP as a good dressing alternative. Conclusion Autologous PRP is very effective adjuvant in management of skin graft donor site. Its role in relieving pain and pruritis over donor site significantly improves patient's discomfort postoperatively. It helps in early and painless wound healing. However, we recommend for larger clinical study for better understanding of the efficacy of this blood product.

Keywords: PRP; skin graft donor site; split-thickness skin graft.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Venous blood with anticoagulant sodium dextrose.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Blood after first and second centrifugation.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Application of platelet-rich plasma.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Intraoperative photo (P – proximal, PRP, D – distal, paraffin gauze only).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Postoperative photo day 7 (P – proximal, PRP, D – distal, paraffin gauze only).
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Postoperative photo day 14 (P – proximal, PRP, D – distal, paraffin gauze only).
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Postoperative photo day 21 (P – proximal, PRP, D – distal, paraffin gauze only).
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on pain. VAS, visual analog scale.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on pruritis.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on wound healing.
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