Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial of Accelerated Re-Epithelialization of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites Using Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin (I-PRF)

Premsak Sakarinpanichakul; Watchara  Burapholkul; Pucharaporn Jiengjariyanont

doi:10.64387/tjs.2026.277524

Authors

Premsak Sakarinpanichakul Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Buriram Hospital
Watchara Burapholkul Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Buriram Hospital
Pucharaporn Jiengjariyanont Department of Anatomical Pathology, Buriram Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64387/tjs.2026.277524

Keywords:

Platelet-rich fibrin, Injectable platelet-rich fibrin, Epithelialization, Donor site

Abstract

Background: Autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a fraction of blood with a high concentration of platelets and multiple growth factors. Its application has shown promising results in wound care. However, it remains controversial whether applying PRF to donor site wounds of split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) improves the epithelialization rate. This study aimed to determine the effect of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) on the epithelialization of donor-site wounds in STSG.

Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial included 30 patients who underwent STSG procedures at Buriram Hospital between November 2023 and February 2025. The donor site wounds were divided into two groups for the study. The intervention group received an I-PRF and paraffin gauze, while the control group received paraffin gauze alone. The evaluation assessed the time required to re-epithelialize donor-site wounds and measured epithelial thickness after full re-epithelialization.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 50.7 ± 18.7 years, and 63.3% were male. Time to complete epithelialization of donor wounds did not differ significantly between I-PRF and control groups (11.9 ± 2.6 days vs 11.9 ± 2.7 days; p = 0.851). The mean epithelial thickness of the I-PRF group was higher than that of the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (208 ± 110 mm vs 197 ± 118 mm; p = 0.698).

Conclusion: Compared to traditional therapy, a single application of injectable platelet-rich fibrin did not significantly influence the re-epithelialization of an STSG donor wound.

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