TO STUDY THE EFFICACY OF AUTOLOGOUS PLATELET RICH PLASMA OVER CONVENTIONAL MECHANICAL FIXATION METHODS IN SPLIT THICKNESS SKIN GRAFTING
TITLE Efficacy of autologous platelet rich plasma over conventional mechanical fixation methods in split thickness skin grafting . AIMS AND OBJECTIVES to determine the efficacy of autologous platelet rich plasma over conventional mechanical fixation methods in split thickness skin grafting. METHODS This a prospective randomized controlled study, conducted in the Department of surgery, SAIMS Medical College and P.G Institute, Indore for a period of two years from September 2016 to September 2018. A total of 20 patients were included in the study, and divided into two groups of 10 each randomly. The study was approved by the local ethical committee of our hospital. An informed written consent was obtained from all patients. Total of 20 patients were studied; 10 cases were randomly chosen for study with autologous platelet rich plasma and 10 cases received conventional methods like staples/sutures used to anchor the skin grafts in a control group. RESULTS Autologous PRP showed faster and better healing rates. With PRP study group instant graft adherence was seen in all cases. Hematoma, graft edema, discharge from graft site, frequency of dressings and duration of stay in hospital were significantly less in the PRP. There were no adverse effects or reactions seen with the use of autologous PRP among the study group. CONCLUSION The combination of PRP with Split Thickness Skin Graft (STSG) significantly improved clinical outcomes and shortened the wound healing time. Therefore, this treatment combination could provide a way to heal skin after skin graft reconstruction with minimal recovery time. It is found to be highly beneficial in many aspects both to the patient and surgeon based on our results.