Comparative Analysis of Microneedling With PRP Versus Vitamin C Serum in the Management of Post-Operative Cleft lip Scars

ObjectiveThe present study was conducted with the objective of comparing the efficacy of microneedling with vitamin C serum versus platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the management of the appearance of post-operative cleft lip scars.DesignThe study was conducted as a prospective, randomized comparative study.ParticipantsA total of 30 participants (<i>n</i> = 30) were included in the study, with each group comprising of 15 participants.SettingSmile train verified cleft center.InterventionEach patient underwent three sessions of microneedling combined with the assigned adjuvant, PRP in group A and vitamin C serum in group B. Follow-up evaluations were conducted at 1, 2, and 3 months post-operatively.Main Outcome MeasuresThe scar quality and improvements were assessed using the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS), graded from 1 to 10 by each patient and a fixed outer observer from the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. <i>p</i> ≤ 0.5 was considered statistically significant.ResultsResults indicated that while both modalities offer significant improvements in scar appearance, texture, and overall esthetic outcomes, PRP showed superior results in terms of scar reduction and patient-reported satisfaction (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, pliability (<i>p</i> = 0.10) and pain (<i>p</i> = 0.28) scores did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups.ConclusionThrough this study, we concluded that microneedling when combined with PRP offers far more superior results in terms of improvement of the scar appearance as compared to vitamin C serum.