Development of a Chronic Skin Wound Defect: A Swine Model

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Animal models of a chronic wound are yet to be fully developed, and animal studies on this subject has yet to take place. The purpose of this study is to create the foundation for research on chronic wound healing based on a swine model, the most similar to that of a human. METHODS: Three female 2-3 month old 'yolkshires' were used. Total of eight full thickness skin defects, 6 x 3 cm sized, were created on the back of each pigs. Three groups were created for comparison; Group I (n=4) was left as they were after full skin thickness excision, while the excised tissues of Group II (n=3) were turned inside out and sutured so that the epidermis would come in contact with the fascia. Group III (n=3) were excised full skin thickness in depth and silicone blocks were implanted in them. Dressing was not practised so that the wounds would be vulnerable to infection. RESULTS: In Group III, the skin contraction rate was the least among the three groups for each three weeks of observation respectively. Also during the three weeks, bacteral colonization was at the highest among the comparison. On the third week, inflammatory cells were still active, but the generations of epidermis and collagen synthesis were detected minimally. CONCLUSION: The Group III was relatively the most similar model of chronic wounds. and modification of the silicone blocks, could provide us with a very effective chronic skin wound model similar to human.