Does Platelet-Rich Fibrin Enhance Healing Of Burn Wounds? Our First Experiences And Main Pitfalls

• Published in: Annals of burns and fire disasters Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 42 - 52
• Main Authors: Schulz, A, Schiefer, J L, Fuchs, P C, Kanho, C H, Nourah, N, Heitzmann, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Euro-Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters - MBC 31-03-2021
• ISSN: 1592-9558; 1592-9566

Recent research found that enzymatic debridement clearly improves long-term scarring in burns. By reducing the spontaneous wound-healing period, scarring might be optimized. The latest publications show that wound healing can be accelerated by the application of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). However to date no study that evaluates PRF treatment in burn wounds following enzymatic debridement has been published. We conducted a single-center prospective observational trial treating ten patients with partial thickness to deep dermal burns after enzymatic debridement with PRF. After wound treatment, the dressing remained untouched for five days. For wound healing, we compared different dressings and treatment options. Minimum pain and no signs of infection were observed during any of the treatments. Physicians were able to learn the manufacture of PRF quickly. For two early treatments, skin grafting was required. In one case, the dressing was removed too early. In a second case, the wait for spontaneous wound healing was not long enough. After a standardized treatment procedure was set, we found that results were clearly improving. Mean healing time of seven wounds treated with Suprathel® dressing was 18 days (min 9 days, max 21 days). PRF application might be useful to reduce healing time in partial thickness to deep dermal burn wounds that heal spontaneously after enzymatic debridement. Thus, scarring can be improved.