A preliminary study on wound healing and scar reduction using platelet-rich fibrin matrix

Wound healing is a natural response to tissue injury. Many factors come into play during the process, leading the body to make compromises to ensure healing and, in turn, form scars. Over the years, several approaches have been developed to aid wound healing. Platelet-rich plasma is believed to have various important capabilities, such as serving as a source of growth and clotting factors, and possessing both chemotactic and mitogenic properties that aid wound closure and healing and minimise scar formation. This experimental animal study aimed to increase wound-healing rates and quality by using platelet-rich fibrin matrix, a derivative of platelet-rich plasma, with particular focus on reepithelialisation and scar tissue reduction. Platelet-rich fibrin matrix-treated wounds demonstrated faster closure primarily through contraction. They also showed superior histological reepithelialisation and scar resolution. The test group recorded a 73.18% reduction in wound diameter for the first week and 100% closure by day 14. The control group recorded a 65.32% reduction in wound diameter by the end of the first week, a 92.09% reduction by the end of the second week, and 100% closure by day 18. Wound closure was accompanied by reepithelialisation. The test group showed higher rates of scar resolution, with statistically significant differences compared to the control group. This can be attributed to the abundance of growth factors and other necessary chemicals provided by the platelets. Based on the results from the test group, it may be speculated that platelet-rich fibrin matrix may be potentially beneficial for wound treatment. The significance of this study is the provision of preliminary baseline data for wound healing, which will prove useful in the treatment and management of wounds in the clinical setting.