Comparative Analysis of Microneedling With PRP Versus Vitamin C Serum in the Management of Post-Operative Cleft lip Scars

Abstract

Objective

The present study was conducted with the objective of comparing the efficacy of microneedling with vitamin C serum versus platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the management of the appearance of post-operative cleft lip scars.

Design

The study was conducted as a prospective, randomized comparative study.

Participants

A total of 30 participants (n = 30) were included in the study, with each group comprising of 15 participants.

Setting

Smile train verified cleft center.

Intervention

Each patient underwent three sessions of microneedling combined with the assigned adjuvant, PRP in group A and vitamin C serum in group B. Follow-up evaluations were conducted at 1, 2, and 3 months post-operatively.

Main Outcome Measures

The scar quality and improvements were assessed using the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS), graded from 1 to 10 by each patient and a fixed outer observer from the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. p ≤ 0.5 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Results indicated that while both modalities offer significant improvements in scar appearance, texture, and overall esthetic outcomes, PRP showed superior results in terms of scar reduction and patient-reported satisfaction (p < 0.05). However, pliability (p = 0.10) and pain (p = 0.28) scores did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion

Through this study, we concluded that microneedling when combined with PRP offers far more superior results in terms of improvement of the scar appearance as compared to vitamin C serum.