Analysis of surgical outcome of split-thickness skin grafting with autologous platelet-rich plasma versus conventional skin grafting technique: A prospective comparative study

Objectives: The objective of the study is to determine the surgical outcomes of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) with split-thickness skin grafting compared to conventional skin grafting in healing ulcers in terms of postoperative pain visual analog scale (VAS) scoring, graft uptake, graft necrosis, graft infection, and cosmetic outcome patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) scoring. Material and Methods: A prospective comparative study held in the department of general surgery and the department of plastic surgery between May 2023 and February 2025 in 80 patients with healing ulcers, 40 in each limb. Patient’s demographic details, nature of the ulcer, comorbidities and postoperative outcomes such as graft uptake, graft infection, graft loss, and cosmetic outcomes were recorded. The data collected was subjected to frequency, percentage analysis and statistical testing. Results: The PRP group demonstrated statistically significant reductions in infection rates, better graft uptake rates and reduced postoperative pain as compared to the conventional group at all points in time. In addition, better cosmetic outcomes were observed in the PRP group. Conclusion: This study promotes the use of PRP at the recipient site of split-thickness skin grafts as an effective alternative to the conventional fixation method to ensure better cosmetic outcomes and lower complication rates.