Objective:
The reconstruction of major burn wounds is a great challenge. Early debridement and skin grafting reconstruction are the golden principles in managing these patients. In extensive burn patients, available donor skin is scarce therefore maximizing skin graft take and survival is crucial. The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may have beneficial effect on increasing skin graft take in these patients.
Material and Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients whom were victims of the Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion with more than 40% of total body surface area (TBSA) second and third degree flame burn. A total of 55 split-thickness skin grafting reconstruction procedures with Meek micrografting technique was performed. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was applied on the wound base during the skin grafting in 22 procedures (40%).
Results:
Skin graft take in the PRP group was noted 5 days after the reconstruction procedure versus 14 days in the non-PRP group. At 14 days after the reconstruction procedure, the PRP applied group showed less skin graft loss compared to the non-PRP group.
Conclusion:
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may have beneficial effects on speeding skin graft take and reducing skin graft loss in major burn patients. However, further randomized clinical trials are still needed to elucidate this effect.