Evaluation of linear scars revision with and without platelet-rich fibrin and autologous unprocessed bone marrow injection

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Surgery, Suez Canal University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

Abstract

Introduction: There are many modalities of traditional methods of linear scar treatment including derma abrasion,
chemical ablation, laser therapy, and use of surgical excision and grafting. However, surgical treatments, with or without
supplementary nonsurgical treatments offers a confusing picture of widely variable ‘success’ rates, recurrence rates,
patient populations, and follow-up periods.
Aim: Our main objective was to improve the results of treatment of linear scars. Also to evaluate of the results of adding
platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and autologous unprocessed bone marrow in surgically revised linear scars.
Patients and Methods: Total study number of 16 patients (nine men, seven women), aged 22–52 years were enrolled in
this study. Six patients had the scar in the abdomen, four patients had the scar in the forearm, three in the leg and three
in the neck. Assessment of scar was done including history, clinical examination using Vancouver Scar Scale, patient’
and doctor’ scar satisfaction. All patients were treated with scar revision by injecting half of the wound with the aspirated
autologous unprocessed bone marrow and PRF. On follow-up, the patients were photographed at the start of the study
(preoperative), weekly for first 2 weeks (postoperative), and monthly for the next 6 months.
Results: Adding heparinized autologous unprocessed bone marrow and PRF; may improve the pattern of scar revision.
This preliminary work suggests that there were differences in the time of healing, scar appearance (100%) as P value was
0.021, pliability, height (62.5%) a P value was (0.009), vascularity and satisfaction (43.8%) between both groups of the
study.
Conclusion: This novel treatment appeared to be safe and effective for scar treatment. To illustrate significant statistical
differences, we need a larger sampling and longer follow-up periods.

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