Abstract
Background: By releasing secretary proteins on activation, platelets set the pace of wound healing; with their effects remaining long after the clot has been cleared. Objective(s): To enhance the skin graft healing by placement a supraphysiologic concentration of autologous platelets. Patients & Methods: The study was carried out in Sohag University Hospital, Plastic Surgery Department and Clinical Pathology Department from June 2007 to October 2009; it was included 50 patients with raw surface; 25 patients as a study group, and anther 25 patients as a control group. Raw areas were varied from 2% to 8% of total body surface area. All raw surfaces were grafted but in study group we use Platelet glue, which was prepared from the patient’s own blood 2-4 hours before operation. It was injected under the graft and postoperative follow-up with clinical assessment and photography was done. Results: The graft adhesion was started at 3rd day in 20 % of the study group cases versus 8 % of the control group cases, by the 7th day the adhesion was affect 32% of the study group patients versus 20 % of the control group patients. Complete adhesion to the surgical bed occurred at one month in both groups. A significant negative correlation was found between time of graft adhesion and platelets count, activity and sP-selectin (p < 0.05). Conclusion(s): Autologous platelet glue in plastic surgery offers more economic and safe technique in surgical graft.