Effect of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Gel on Skin Flap Survival

BACKGROUND Skin flap grafting is one of the most common tissue transplantations for wound repair and organ reconstruction. Thus, improving the survival rate of the transplanted skin flap is important. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous platelet concentrate obtained from whole blood. It has been widely used in repairing tissue defects. Considering that the PRP gel has similar biological characteristics, this study used PRP gel for skin flap transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS PRP gel from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was prepared and the growth factor concentration was determined. A rat skin flap model was established to evaluate the survival rate of skin flap. Morphologic evaluation was also done. RESULTS We found that the PRP gel increased the survival rate of the skin flap. In addition, it reduces the inflammation response in skin flap transplantation and has better effects in terms of generating new soft tissue. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness PRP gel in skin flap transplantation is satisfactory. The possible mechanisms by which PRP gel promotes the survival of the skin flap includes platelets, growth factors, immune activity factor, and fibrin. PRP could be a new clinical method for promoting skin flap survival.