Experimental study on inhibiting operative incision scar formation using medical invisible antimicrobial film

Zhenguo XIE; Li SHEN; Changyong YANG; Nan LIANG; Weibo CHENG; Zhonghua CHEN

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

It has been reported that chitosan can inhibit scar formation and promote wound healing. Medical invisible antimicrobial film is a new type of membrane materials which comprises chitosan as ground substance.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the inhibitory effects of medical invisible antimicrobial film on the operative incision scar, and to observe its effects on wound healing.DESIGN, TIME AND

SETTING:

A controlled animal study was conducted at the IVC Experimental Animal Room, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University from August to October 2007.MATERIALS Medical invisible antimicrobial film stock solution was colorless transparent sticking solution, which formed colorless transparent film following spray painting (specification 40 mL), provided by Chengdu Chaojl Technology Co., Ltd. (lot number 070501).

METHODS:

A total of 16 healthy Sprague Dawley rats aged 20 to 23 days were selected. Full linear skin incisions were operated in aseptic condition. After operation, the experimental group (right side) was sprayed medical invisible antimicrobial film 0.5 mL/time, once a day, for totally 3 days. The control group (left side) received an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride injection, with natural cure.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

At 3, 7 and 14 days following surgery, incision skin specimens were obtained, and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining was applied to observe wound healing and the formation of scar, then the scar area was analyzed.

RESULTS:

The scar relative mean area of control group was 154 069±51 356 and the experimental group was 98 200±34 719 on the postoperative 14~(th) day. The two groups were significantly different (P < 0.05). At 14 days following surgery, optical microscope showed that the experiment group had less collagen fibers and fibroblast accumulation. At 3 days, compared with the control group, the experimental group had less epithelization period, more granulation tissue and less inflammatory cell infiltration.

CONCLUSION:

The medical invisible antimicrobial film has inhibitory effect of the formation of operative incision scar, and no influence on wound healing of operative incision.