title: Platelet growth factors from allogeneic platelet-rich plasma for clinical improvement in split-thickness skin graft.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Platelets are a source of numerous growth factors which facilitate repair and healing. Thus platelet rich plasma has been increasingly used as a treatment modality in the field of reconstructive surgeries for wound healing. This preliminary study was carried out to explore whether platelet growth factors from platelet rich plasma could be used for enhancement of split thickness skin graft survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients (13 males and 7 females) requiring split thickness skin graft for various clinical reasons were enrolled in the study. Platelet rich plasma was collected by apheresis and frozen at -80° C. It was thawed at room temperature immediately before its intended application. PRP was applied only on one half of the wound, while another half served as control. Patient was followed for 6 weeks. The effect was assessed at first dressing in terms of graft uptake and subsequently as time taken for complete healing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was 100% uptake of the graft in the area where platelet rich plasma was applied. In the control area, there was complete graft loss in 4 cases, partial loss in 7 cases and complete uptake in 9 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated promising results on application of PRP to split thickness skin grafts. Further randomized studies with greater sample size may be undertaken to establish platelet rich plasma as a validated treatment modality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Atul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sonker
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Anju
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dubey
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ankur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatnagar
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rajendra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
keywords: Platelet growth factors; platelet-rich plasma; skin graft