Microsurgical Versus Conventional Skin Closure in the Laboratory Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
Abstract
Objectives: To compare the cosmetic outcome, healing and strength of linear incisions in rats after repair with naked eye, surgical loupes or a surgical microscope. Methods: A single surgeon created two, parallel, 3 cm long linear incisions on the dorsal skin of male Sprague Dawley rats (n=36) and randomized the incisions into four groups. The incisions were repaired with the naked eye, surgical loupes, microscope using 5/0 monocryl, and microscope using 6/0 monocryl. Wound strength was measured using a published method. A harvested incision was suspended with forceps and water was slowly added to a freely suspended container until any tears of the incision occurred. The force necessary to achieve dehiscence was recorded. Wound healing was evaluated histologically using published methods to examine vascularization, fibroblast proliferation, inflammation and epithelialization. Results: Statistical analysis between groups using ANOVA testing was performed and significance was defined as p < 0.05. Initial results were not significant for wound tensile strength, vascularity, fibroblast proliferation, inflammatory cells or epithelialization between all groups at 1, 3 and 6 weeks.Conclusion: Our initial conclusion is there is no difference in scar healing in wounds sutured with surgical loupes or surgical microscope versus traditional techniques using the naked eye.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1035359
Entities
People
- Fawn Hogan
Organizations
- David Grant USAF Medical Center