2.1. PRP Quantification

Compared with the mean baseline platelet count in the whole blood collected with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), the mean quantification of platelets in the PRP collected with the tube with anticoagulant ACD-A (citrate dextrose solution A) and centrifuged according to the manufacturer’s guidelines increased by about 2.2 times for the mean volume of PRP obtained in our study (2.7 mL) (based on the data provided by the manufacturer Keymed, Poland, on our request). Given the mean platelet count in our sample (in all patients who qualified for the surgery the platelet count was within normal range, collected for EDTA before surgery)—0.33 × 10⁶/µL—the mean concentration of platelets in our PRP was estimated to be 0.65 × 10⁶ platelets/µL, with the minimum value of 0.59 × 10⁶ platelets/µL and maximum value of 0.84 × 10⁶ platelets/µL. Based on the related references, this count can be accepted as representative for PRP [16,17].

After the completion of the study, an independent team of observers (unfamiliar with the aim of the study), a plastic surgeon (observer 1), and a gynecologist (observer 2) were asked to evaluate the aesthetic appearance of the scars presented in photographs. Their subjective assessment of an isolated fragment of photographs presenting vertical postoperative scars (to eliminate the suggestion of the appearance of the entire breast) was based on photographic documentation made 6 months after the surgery using a 5-point Likert scale, where 1—unaesthetic, very visible (red, wide, hypertrophic) and 5—almost invisible (skin-color, thin) (Figure 3).

Subjective assessment of isolated parts of photographs presenting vertical postoperative scars. (a) Full standardized photography 6 months after surgery. (b) Isolated part of scars for observers’ assessment.

The study protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Medical University of Łódź (RNN/366/19/KE).