Effect of micropower vacuum dressings on the healing of rabbit second degree burn wound

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of micropower vacuum dressingson the healing of rabbit second degree burn wound. Methods Eight adult healthy rabbits were performed a second degree burn, which was obtained on the dorsal skin using electrons homeothermia burn instrument 90℃ for 12 s. Four wounds were performed symmetrically on the back of each rabbit in a self-control situation. One site was set as the treatment group treated with the micropower vacuum dressings and the other site was the control group, treated with vaseline gauze. Immediately after burn and 1, 3, 5, 7 d postburn, the wounds were harvested and water content was examined by dry to wet weight method. Wound microcirculation blood flow was determined using the laser doppler flowmetry and wound healing process was also detected. Results On the 1, 3, 5, 7 d postburn, wound tissue water content in the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant (t=5.067, 5.133, 4.464, 3.875, P=0.001, 0.001, 0.003, 0.006). On the 3 d, 5 d and 7 d postburn, wound microcirculation blood flow in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant (t=-3.155, -4.835, -7.168, P=0.016, 0.020, 0.000). On the 14 d and 20 d postburn, the wound healing rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group the difference was statistically significant (t=-39.052, -11.223, P=0.000, 0.000). In the treatment group, the wound healing time was (20.9±2.2) d, which was shorter than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant (t=9.379, P=0.000). Conclusion Micropower vacuum dressings can reduce tissue edema, increase microcirculatory blood flow of rabbit second degree burn wound, and shorten the time of wound healing. Key words: Burns; Edema; Wound healing; Blood flow; Micropower vacuum dressings