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 to the body making compromises to ensure healing which leads to the formation of scars. Over the years, several approaches have been made to aid in the healing of wounds. Platelet-rich plasma is believed to have various important capabilities such as being a source of growth and clotting factors as well as possessing both chemotactic and mitogenic properties which would aid in wound closure and healing as well as reduce the formation of scars as much as possible. This experimental animal study aimed to increase the rate of wound healing by using platelet-rich fibrin matrix, a derivative of platelet-rich plasma to improve healing rates and quality with particular focus on reepithelialisation and scar tissue reduction. Platelet-rich fibrin matrix treated wounds proved superior in time of closure, rate of closure, rate of reepithelialisation and scar resolution. The test group recorded 73.18% reduction in wound diameter for the first week and 100% closure by day 14. The control group recorded 65.32% reduction in wound diameter by the end of the first week, 92.09% at 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 what was observed in the control group. This can be attributed to the abundance of growth factors and other important chemicals provided by the platelets. Based on the results recorded by the test group, it could be speculated that that of platelet-rich fibrin matrix is effective. This study provides preliminary baseline data for wound healing and could be useful in the treatment and management of wounds in the clinical setting.