ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of intradermal and topical mitomycin C (MMC) on skin wound healing. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A prospective, controlled study in a rat wound model performed in an academic medical center. RESULTS: Intradermal and topical MMC application decreased wound integrity when compared with saline-treated animals at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 6 months. Skin necrosis occurred in animals that received intradermal MMC. Hemotoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining showed no consistent difference between treatment arms. Fibrosis and collagen deposition were reduced in MMC-treated wounds on trichrome staining. CONCLUSIONS: MMC-treated wounds showed decreased wound strength compared with controls. Intradermal MMC can cause skin necrosis. Histologic findings did not always correspond with clinical data. SIGNIFICANCE: The data suggest cautious use of MMC in clinical situations when wound breaking strength is critical.
