SRS147 - Advantages of using platelet-rich plasma at the donor site after skin grafting: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Split-thickness skin grafting is a fundamental technique in Plastic Surgery, though it carries a drawback of creating a secondary wound at the donor site, which leads to complications such as pain, scarring, itching, pruritus or dyschromia. Objective Explore the adjunct biological application of Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to standard dressing at the donor site, in comparison to the standard dressing alone. Investigate the outcomes of pain, healing time, re-epithelialization, incidence of scar, and pruritus/itching. Methods A Systematic Review was conducted searching Embase, PubMed and Scopus until April 2025 (n = 471). Studies must compare at least one outcome. Statistical analysis was performed. Results Eight studies were included, resulting in a total of 170 patients having 172 wounds in the PRP group, and 172 patients having 174 wounds in the control group. Mean follow up was 2.2 months, and mean age was 49.35. Our meta-analysis indicated a statistically significant lower pain in the PRP group (standardized mean difference = −0.59, 95%-c.i. = −0.93, 0.25; P value = 0.0006) at postoperative day 7, besides lower pain scales across postoperative days 3,14, and 21. The PRP re-epithelization was significantly faster (OR = 4.91; 95%-c.i. = 2.13, 11.30; P value = 0.0002). The PRP healing days range were shorter and incidence of scar was lower. Conclusions The application of PRP as a biological adjunctive therapy improves graft donor site outcomes: pain reduction, accelerated re-epithelialization rates and shorter healing days. PRP represents a promising strategy for wound morbidity reduction, incidence of scar and shorter hospital stay.