An improved method of in vivo wound disruption and measurement

Abstract

Biomechanical studies of wound strength are important because of new investigations in growth factors, cytokines, and fetal wounds. We compared two traditional methods of wound disruption measurement with a novel computerized model designed for in vivo experiments. An Instron tensiometer (INSTS) and an air insufflated positive pressure device (AIPPD) were compared with a vacuum-controlled wound chamber device (VCWCD). The VCWCD produced vacuum at the wound site and wound disruption was monitored with two video camera/recorders. Rats were marked with a template guide for a 2.5 cm, full-thickness, abdominal incisional wound. Rats were divided into three groups and studied at 2, 7, or 14 days after wounding. The recorded images were computer digitalized to generate wound strength curves from a three-dimensional model. A comparison of the wound disruption curves demonstrated that the VCWCD was comparable to the INST or AIPPD in normal wound healing (P greater than .40). The VCWCD provided data with less standard error at 2 days after wounding (P less than 05). In separate series of experiments, VCWCD was tested in the early phases of healing and was found to be sensitive to change at intervals of 48 hr after wounding (P less than .005). The INST or AIPPD methods could not perform this task because of an unacceptable level of random error after tissue manipulation. The VCWCD system was considered superior for evaluating early wound healing because it was an in vivo method which required minimal wound manipulation.

Morphine enhances tissue content of collagen and increases wound tensile strength

“…n = 6-7 different animals in each group after injury; however, wound strength returns to 80-90% of the baseline level only after 6 weeks [19]. Creation of a full-thickness incisional wound in mice or rats represents a clinically compatible experimental model in studying wound tensile strength [20]. Three days after injury, breaking strength and tissue levels of collagen in the healing incisional wound were significantly increased in comparison to an open wound [21].…”

An In-Vivo Study of the Wound-Bursting Strengths of Octyl-Cyanoacrylate, Butyl-Cyanoacrylate, and Surgical Tape in Rats

“…Fifteen young female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250 -350 g were used in this study. The rat was chosen because it has been well described in prior incisional wound-bursting strength studies (7)(8)(9). Animals were given a standard diet ad lib several days before the investigation.…”

In Vivo Study of Wound Bursting Strength and Compliance of Topical Skin Adhesives

“…3 Prior studies have demonstrated that the octyl-cyanoacrylate-based adhesives are stronger than the butylcyanoacrylate-based adhesives. 7,8 A study comparing the bursting strength of incisional rat wounds closed with D and H found that the octyl-cyanoacrylate-based adhesive (D) was roughly three times stronger than the butyl-cyanoacrylate-based adhesive (H). 7 A similar study found that the WBS of D was significantly greater than that of the butyl-cyanoacrylate I (difference 98 mm Hg [95% CI = 32 to 165]).…”

“…7,8 A study comparing the bursting strength of incisional rat wounds closed with D and H found that the octyl-cyanoacrylate-based adhesive (D) was roughly three times stronger than the butyl-cyanoacrylate-based adhesive (H). 7 A similar study found that the WBS of D was significantly greater than that of the butyl-cyanoacrylate I (difference 98 mm Hg [95% CI = 32 to 165]). 8 However, both of these studies measured WBS only immediately after wound closure.…”

“…Several prior studies have compared the WBS of octyl-cyanoacrylate and butyl-cyanoacrylate in animal models. 7,8 However, these studies only measured the WBS immediately after closure and did not evaluate the flexibility of the TSA. In addition, several new TSAs have been introduced over the past few years.…”