{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,29]],"date-time":"2026-08-29T10:19:29Z","timestamp":1787998769123,"version":"build-2784847793"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"23","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,30]],"date-time":"2025-11-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1764460800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>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\u2019s 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 appearance at three months, as assessed by the Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS) and VSS scores. A statistically significant enhancement in patient-reported outcomes utilizing the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS) was noted at 6 months (mean difference = \u22120.825; 95% CI: \u22121.561 to \u22120.090; p = 0.028), suggesting PRP\u2019s efficacy in alleviating symptoms, including pain, itching, and stiffness. High heterogeneity was noted in several analyses, likely due to variability in PRP preparation methods, administration protocols, and scar types. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates that PRP may provide significant subjective enhancements in scar quality, particularly from the patient\u2019s viewpoint. The results show the need for standardized PRP protocols, prolonged follow-up periods, and the integration of both patient-centered and objective outcome measures. PRP has significant potential in early postoperative wound healing; nevertheless, additional high-quality, long-term studies are required to clarify its role in mature or fibrotic scars.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm14238490","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,8]],"date-time":"2025-12-08T16:20:29Z","timestamp":1765210829000},"page":"8490","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["The Efficiency of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Treating Post-Burn and Surgical Scars: A Meta-Analysis Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Ziyad","family":"Alharbi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Plastic Surgery and Burn Unit, Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Jeddah 23323, Saudi Arabia"},{"name":"Department of Clinical Sciences, Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah 23323, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tala","family":"Zafar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1038\/s41572-020-0145-5","article-title":"Burn injury","volume":"6","author":"Jeschke","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Dis. Primers"},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"23","article-title":"Evaluation of patterns, cause and risk factors of burns in patients with seizure","volume":"12","author":"Ziabari","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Burn. Trauma"},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2023). Burns, World Health Organization."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2349","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMra1807442","article-title":"Management of Burns","volume":"380","author":"Greenhalgh","year":"2019","journal-title":"N. Engl. J. Med."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"893080","DOI":"10.1155\/2010\/893080","article-title":"Acne scars: Pathogenesis, classification and treatment","volume":"2010","author":"Fabbrocini","year":"2010","journal-title":"Dermatol. Res. Pract."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lee, H.J., and Jang, Y.J. (2018). Recent Understandings of Biology, Prophylaxis and Treatment Strategies for Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 19.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms19030711"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"931","DOI":"10.1007\/s13555-020-00427-2","article-title":"A Review of Current Keloid Management: Mainstay Monotherapies and Emerging Approaches","volume":"10","author":"Limmer","year":"2020","journal-title":"Dermatol. Ther."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"95","DOI":"10.1111\/prd.12565","article-title":"How to explain the beneficial effects of platelet-rich plasma","volume":"97","author":"Gruber","year":"2000","journal-title":"Periodontology"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chicharro-Alc\u00e1ntara, D., Rubio-Zaragoza, M., Dami\u00e1-Gim\u00e9nez, E., Carrillo-Poveda, J.M., Cuervo-Serrato, B., Pel\u00e1ez-Gorrea, P., and Sopena-Juncosa, J.J. (2018). Platelet rich plasma: New insights for cutaneous wound healing management. J. Funct. Biomater., 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/jfb9010010"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"172","DOI":"10.4239\/wjd.v9.i10.172","article-title":"Topical application of platelet-rich plasma for diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review","volume":"9","author":"Hirase","year":"2018","journal-title":"World J. Diabetes"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2259","DOI":"10.1177\/0363546509349921","article-title":"Platelet-Rich Plasma: From Basic Science to Clinical Applications","volume":"37","author":"Foster","year":"2009","journal-title":"Am. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"n71","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71","article-title":"The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"372","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"256","DOI":"10.1097\/00004630-199005000-00014","article-title":"Rating the Burn Scar","volume":"11","author":"Sullivan","year":"1990","journal-title":"J. Burn Care Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1960","DOI":"10.1097\/01.PRS.0000122207.28773.56","article-title":"The patient and observer scar assessment scale: A reliable and feasible tool for scar evaluation","volume":"113","author":"Draaijers","year":"2004","journal-title":"Plast. Reconstr. Surg."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"557","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.327.7414.557","article-title":"Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses","volume":"327","author":"Higgins","year":"2003","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4898","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.l4898","article-title":"RoB 2: A revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials","volume":"366","author":"Sterne","year":"2019","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e70065","DOI":"10.1111\/iwj.70065","article-title":"Evaluation of the efficacy, safety and satisfaction rates of platelet-rich plasma, non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and the combination of platelet-rich plasma and non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid in patients with burn scars treated with fractional CO2 laser: A randomized controlled clinical trial","volume":"21","author":"Roohaninasab","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. Wound J."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barwijuk, M., Pankiewicz, K., Ga\u0142a\u015b, A., Nowakowski, F., Gumu\u0142a, P., Jakimiuk, A.J., and Issat, T. (2024). The Impact of Platelet-Rich Plasma Application during Cesarean Section on Wound Healing and Postoperative Pain: A Single-Blind Placebo-Controlled Intervention Study. Medicina, 60.","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina60040628"},{"key":"ref_19","first-page":"e114072","article-title":"Effect of Autologous Platelet&ndash;Rich Plasma on Cesarean Section Scar; A Randomized, Double-Blinded Pilot Study","volume":"23","author":"Chaichian","year":"2022","journal-title":"Shiraz E Med. J."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2051","DOI":"10.1080\/09546634.2021.1914307","article-title":"Assessment of various intralesional injections in keloid: Comparative analysis","volume":"33","author":"Albalat","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Dermatol. Treat."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1662","DOI":"10.1016\/j.burns.2021.10.001","article-title":"Platelet rich plasma and plasma rich in growth factors for split-thickness skin graft donor site treatment in the burn patient setting: A randomized clinical trial","volume":"48","author":"Lis","year":"2022","journal-title":"Burns"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"118","DOI":"10.48095\/ccachp2021118","article-title":"Platelet-rich plasma improves esthetic postoperative outcomes of maxillofacial surgical procedures","volume":"63","author":"Menchisheva","year":"2021","journal-title":"Acta Chir. Plast."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e14900","DOI":"10.1111\/dth.14900","article-title":"Botulinum toxin and platelet rich plasma as innovative therapeutic modalities for keloids","volume":"34","author":"Neinaa","year":"2021","journal-title":"Dermatol. Ther."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"581","DOI":"10.1177\/1055665619884455","article-title":"Is PRP Effective in Reducing the Scar Width of Primary Cleft Lip Repair? A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study","volume":"57","author":"Refahee","year":"2020","journal-title":"Cleft Palate Craniofac. J."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.19080\/OAJS.2017.05.555660","article-title":"Evaluation of the effect of platelet-rich plasma on post-burn scars","volume":"5","author":"Elsayed","year":"2017","journal-title":"Open Access J. Surg."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e34449","DOI":"10.5812\/ircmj.34449","article-title":"Application of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on wound healing after caesarean section in high-risk patients","volume":"18","author":"Tehranian","year":"2016","journal-title":"Iran. Red Crescent Med. J."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"712","DOI":"10.1111\/wrr.12443","article-title":"The application of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of deep dermal burns: A randomized, double-blind, intra-patient controlled study","volume":"24","author":"Marck","year":"2016","journal-title":"Wound Repair Regen."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2059513118808773","DOI":"10.1177\/2059513118808773","article-title":"The evidence behind the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in scar management: A literature review","volume":"4","author":"Alser","year":"2018","journal-title":"Scars Burn. Heal."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"372","DOI":"10.3390\/clinpract13020034","article-title":"The Importance of Psychometric and Physical Scales for the Evaluation of the Consequences of Scars\u2014A Literature Review","volume":"13","author":"Mekeres","year":"2023","journal-title":"Clin. Pract."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"271","DOI":"10.1016\/j.genhosppsych.2013.12.001","article-title":"Impact of facial burns: Relationship between depressive symptoms, self-esteem and scar severity","volume":"36","author":"Hoogewerf","year":"2014","journal-title":"Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1311","DOI":"10.1016\/j.burns.2019.02.002","article-title":"Investigating the intra- and inter-rater reliability of a panel of subjective and objective burn scar measurement tools","volume":"45","author":"Lee","year":"2019","journal-title":"Burns"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1157","DOI":"10.1016\/j.burns.2010.03.016","article-title":"Burn scar assessment: A systematic review of objective scar assessment tools","volume":"36","author":"Brusselaers","year":"2010","journal-title":"Burns"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"998","DOI":"10.1016\/j.arthro.2012.04.148","article-title":"Platelet-rich plasma: The PAW classification system","volume":"28","author":"DeLong","year":"2012","journal-title":"Arthrosc. J. Arthrosc. Relat. Surg."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e000060","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjsem-2015-000060","article-title":"DEPA classification: A proposal for standardising PRP use and a retrospective application of available devices","volume":"2","author":"Magalon","year":"2016","journal-title":"BMJ Open Sport Exerc. Med."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"189","DOI":"10.4103\/0974-2077.150734","article-title":"Principles and Methods of Preparation of Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Review and Author\u2019s Perspective","volume":"7","author":"Dhurat","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Cutan. Aesthetic Surg."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"535","DOI":"10.5958\/2394-6792.2016.00099.5","article-title":"Comparison of different methods of centrifugation for preparation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP)","volume":"3","author":"Bhatia","year":"2016","journal-title":"Indian J. Pathol. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"634","DOI":"10.12669\/pjms.39.3.7264","article-title":"Comparison of single and double centrifugation methods for preparation of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)","volume":"39","author":"Saqlain","year":"2023","journal-title":"Pak. J. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"476","DOI":"10.3892\/mmr.2012.1230","article-title":"Application of platelet-rich plasma accelerates the wound healing process in acute and chronic ulcers through rapid migration and upregulation of cyclin A and CDK4 in HaCaT cells","volume":"7","author":"Kim","year":"2013","journal-title":"Mol. Med. Rep."},{"key":"ref_39","first-page":"107","article-title":"Platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of chronic wounds: Evidence to date","volume":"4","year":"2017","journal-title":"Chronic Wound Care Manag. Res."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.58675\/2682-339X.2577","article-title":"Comparative Study Between Nanofat and Platelet Rich Plasma Injections in the Treatment of Recent Scars","volume":"5","author":"Elmarakby","year":"2024","journal-title":"Al-Azhar Int. Med. J."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"875","DOI":"10.1002\/term.3338","article-title":"Platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of scars, to suggest or not to suggest? A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"16","author":"Ebrahimi","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Tissue Eng. Regen. Med."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"498","DOI":"10.1080\/09546634.2020.1770171","article-title":"Platelet-rich plasma as a therapy for androgenic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"33","author":"Evans","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Dermatol. Treat."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"568","DOI":"10.1097\/01.ASW.0000323589.27605.71","article-title":"An evidence-based model comparing the cost-effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma gel to alternative therapies for patients with nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers","volume":"21","author":"Dougherty","year":"2008","journal-title":"Adv Ski. Wound Care"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"624","DOI":"10.1007\/s12178-018-9527-7","article-title":"Current Clinical Recommendations for Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma","volume":"11","author":"Le","year":"2018","journal-title":"Curr. Rev. Musculoskelet. Med."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1497","DOI":"10.1007\/s00701-018-3579-8","article-title":"Plasma-rich fibrin in neurosurgery: A feasibility study","volume":"160","author":"Theys","year":"2018","journal-title":"Acta Neurochir."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wu, Y.-T., Ho, T.-Y., Chou, Y.-C., Ke, M.-J., Li, T.-Y., Huang, G.-S., and Chen, L.-C. (2017). Six-month efficacy of platelet-rich plasma for carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective randomized, single-blind controlled trial. Sci. Rep., 7.","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-017-00224-6"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3072","DOI":"10.1016\/j.arthro.2020.07.027","article-title":"The Cost-Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma Compared with Hyaluronic Acid Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis","volume":"36","author":"Samuelson","year":"2020","journal-title":"Arthroscopy"},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"641","DOI":"10.1002\/sim.698","article-title":"A comparison of methods to detect publication bias in meta-analysis","volume":"20","author":"Macaskill","year":"2001","journal-title":"Stat. Med."}],"container-title":["Journal of Clinical Medicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/14\/23\/8490\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,8]],"date-time":"2025-12-08T16:26:43Z","timestamp":1765211203000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/14\/23\/8490"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,30]]},"references-count":48,"journal-issue":{"issue":"23","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12]]}},"alternative-id":["jcm14238490"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jcm14238490","relation":{},"ISSN":["2077-0383"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2077-0383","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,30]]}}}