Short-term storage of surplus split-thickness skin grafts in platelet-poor plasma: Clinical utility of a by-product

• Author Details:   
• Sriram V S
• Ravi Kumar Chittoria ^*
• Amrutha JS

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Temporary storage of split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) is often required in staged reconstructive procedures or when harvested grafts exceed immediate coverage needs. Conventional storage media, like normal saline, lack nutritional support for cellular viability. Platelet-poor plasma (PPP), an autologous derivative of whole blood and a byproduct of platelet-rich Plasma preparation, retains plasma proteins and nutrients, making it a potential alternative for short-term graft preservation. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy who sustained high-voltage electrical burns involving both feet and the forehead, for which he underwent serial tangential excision and skin grafting. The surplus skin graft was treated after wrapping the surplus grafts in sterile gauze stored at 4°C for 3 days. The graft retained normal appearance and texture and was reapplied to a residual raw area after 3 days. This case highlights the feasibility of using PPP as a temporary storage medium for surplus skin grafts. The autologous nature of PPP and its biochemical composition make it a safe, effective, and low-cost alternative to traditional storage solutions. Further controlled studies are needed to establish standardised protocols and assess long-term outcomes.

Keywords: Platelet-Poor Plasma (PPP), Skin Graft Preservation, Split-Thickness Skin Graft (STSG), Autologous Plasma, Temporary Graft Storage