Flap-Free Tendon Coverage Using Autologous Fat Grafts Enhanced with Platelet-Rich Plasma and Growth Factors at a Secondary Level Hospital: A Case Report

• Published in: Journal of clinical medicine Vol. 13; no. 18; p. 5640
• Main Authors: Santamaría Salvador, Guadalupe, Acosta Muñoz, Esteban, Samaniego Rojas, Juan, Hidalgo Quishpe, Charles, Izquierdo-Condoy, Juan S, Vasconez-Gonzalez, Jorge, Ortiz-Prado, Esteban
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 23.09.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Blood platelets; Body fat; Burns and scalds; Care and treatment; Case Report; Case reports; Compartment syndrome; Debridement; Emergency medical care; Injuries; Liposuction; Physical therapy; Plasma; Sulbactam; Surgery; Surgery, Plastic; Tendons; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Wounds and injuries; wound healing; platelet-rich plasma; regenerative medicine; tendon exposure; autologous fat graft
• ISSN: 2077-0383; 2077-0383
• DOI: 10.3390/jcm13185640

Autologous fat grafting, enriched with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), has been established as an effective and affordable treatment for various types of wound healing. However, its efficacy in managing wounds with tendon exposure has not been thoroughly investigated. We report the case of a 40-year-old male who sustained a severe friction burn on his hand and forearm from a car accident, resulting in significant tissue loss and exposed extensor tendons. Traditional wound treatment strategies were not implemented due to specific patient circumstances. After initial surgical management failed to prevent necrosis and maintain coverage of the exposed tendons, the patient underwent a novel treatment involving autologous fat grafting combined with PRP and growth factors. The procedure was repeated twice within a month to promote granular tissue formation over that area and facilitate subsequent coverage with an epidermoreticular graft. By day 21 post-initial graft, the exposed tendons were 98% covered with granular tissue. Complete wound coverage was achieved by day 60, and by day 130 the patient had regained 90% functionality of the affected limbs. This case illustrates the potential of autologous fat grafting combined with PRP and growth factors as a viable, flap-free alternative for covering tendon exposures. This approach not only enhances wound healing but also supports functional recovery, underscoring the need for further research into its broader applicative potentials.