Korean J Dermatol.  1992 Oct;30(5):592-600.

An experimental study of the effect of the polyurethane film dressing on wound healing

• Oh CK
• Moon DC
• Kwon KS
• Chung TA

Abstract

We have studied the effects on wound healing of moist conditions in rabbit, achieved by covering excised wounds with the polyurethane film dressings, and dry conditions, by exposure to air during the period from day 1 to day 21 after injury. We have quantified the rate of dermal repair by means of differenetial cell counts of neutrophils, macrophages, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. The rate of re-epithelialization was also examined. The resuts were as follows: 1. There was an acceleration of the inflammatory phase of repair in the moist wounds. The late phase of inflammation began more rapidly. On day 3 after injury there were 150% more macrophages (p<0.01) and 70% fewer neutrophils (p<0.01) in moist wounds. It was also observed the presence of significantly more fibroblasts (p<0.01) in the moist wounds than the dry wounds. 2. There was also more rapid increase in the number of proliferative phase cells-fibroblasts (p<0.01) and endothelial cells (p<0.01) in moist wounds. the lower content of neutrophils (p<0.05) and the higher number of fibroblasts (p<0.01) which were observed in moist wounds on day 7 after injury suggested that healing was by then well advanced into the proliferative phase. 3. On day 14 after injury, the decrease in the number of fibroblasts in moist wounds suggested that this group entered the remodeling phase of repainr. The lower total cell count in moist wounds than in dry on day 21 after injruy suggested a more rapid progress through the remodeling phase. 4. The reepithelialization of moist wounds was faster than that of dry wounds. These findings suggested that moist wounds occluded with polyurethane film dressing healed more rapidly and in a more orderly manner than did dry wounds, both epidermal and dermal repair being accelerated.

MeSH Terms

Acceleration
Bandages*
Cell Count
Endothelial Cells
Fibroblasts
Inflammation
Macrophages
Neutrophils
Polyurethanes*
Re-Epithelialization
Wound Healing*
Wounds and Injuries*
Polyurethanes