The Efficiency of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Treating Post-Burn and Surgical Scars: A Meta-Analysis Study

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background/Objectives: Scarring frequently lowers quality of life and can have both functional and aesthetic impacts. Recently it has been debated whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be used as a therapy modality for improving scar outcomes, given its abundance of cytokines and growth factors. This study attempts to methodically assess PRP's efficacy in healing various scar types, such as burns, keloids, and postoperative scars, using randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A systematic search with PubMed, Google Scholar, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was conducted for RCTs, up to 12 October 2024, evaluating the use of PRP in scar treatment. Outcomes were assessed using validated tools, including the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), with only one study using ultrasound imaging. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool was used to analyze potential bias. Standardized mean differences were computed for continuous outcomes, and meta-analyses were conducted with random-effects models. Results: A total of 11 RCTs involving 539 participants were included, covering 5 postoperative scars, 4 burn scars, and 2 keloid studies. Although several individual trials indicated enhancements with PRP, the pooled data revealed no statistically significant alterations in scar ap

Evidence level

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

Browse all related research

Filter the research library by this study's title keywords, author, or publication year.