Exploring Autologous Leucocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin for Wound Healing: An Innovative Alternative to Split-Thickness Skin Grafts in Resource-Limited Settings
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) as a potential substitute for split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) in treating large wounds in resource-limited settings. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Khuzdar, Pakistan, from August 2023 to January 2025. METHODOLOGY: Eighty-two patients with wounds from various causes, most commonly electrical injuries (20.7%), were treated with L-PRF prepared using Choukroun's protocol. L-PRF gel was applied in weekly sessions (mean: 3.99 ± 0.85). Outcome measures included photographic evidence, improvement categories and patient satisfaction scores. RESULTS: The mean age was 32.2 ± 15.7 years, with 85.4% male patients. Wound dimensions ranged from 1-16 cm in length, 1-14 cm in width, and 0.4-2.0 cm in depth. Healing time ranged from 3 to 6 weeks. Every wound achieved 76-100% healing, an exceptional and uniform therapeutic response. A significant positive relationship was identified between wound depth and the duration of healing (p <0.001), indicating that deeper wounds required more extended healing periods. Remarkably, no adverse events were reported, underscoring the safety of L-PRF therapy. Furthermore, patient satisfaction was exceptionally high, with all participants expressing complete contentment with the treatment outcomes. Conclusion: L-PRF is a safe, cost-effective, and clinically effective alternative to STSG for large wound healing in resource-limited settings. The predictable outcomes and excellent patient acceptance warrant further large-scale studies to confirm its role in standard wound care protocols. KEY WORDS: Leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin, Platelet-rich plasma, Wound healing, Split-thickness skin grafts.
Institution: Combined Military Hospital
Language: English
Topic: Wound Healing and Treatments
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7128913050
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