The use of platelet-rich products for skin graft donor site healing: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Split thickness skin grafting is a common reconstructive technique which carries unavoidable donor site morbidity. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to present the evidence for the use of platelet rich plasma as an adjunct to donor site wound healing. A comprehensive literature search was performed, according to PRISMA guidelines from inception to August 2020, for studies regarding platelet rich plasma and skin graft donor site healing. Animal studies, case series of less than three cases and studies reporting histological outcomes only were excluded. The literature search identified 114 articles. After applying the exclusion criteria, four randomised control trials and two case-control studies remained, incorporating a total of 218 wounds in 139 patients. Four out of six studies reported total healing times for donor site wounds. Pooled analysis showed a significant reduction in healing time when donor wounds were treated with PRP versus controls [MD 5.95, 95% CI 5.04–6.85, p < 0.001]. Of the five studies which reported pain at dressing change, four showed significantly reduced pain scores for the platelet rich plasma treated wounds versus control. There were no significant complications recorded in the treated wounds. The current evidence basis for platelet rich plasma in donor site healing is limited by heterogeneous methodology and reporting outcomes and low powered studies. Nevertheless, the preponderance of data supports its use for accelerating wound healing and reducing pain at dressing change. These preliminary findings need to be substantiated with higher powered randomised controlled trials with standardised PRP manufacture and reporting structures.