Wound Healing: Development of Tensile Strength versus Time for Wounds Closed under Tension in Rats
Abstract
Previous studies have shown wound tensile strength to be greater in wounds closed under tension. The purpose of this study was to delineate a post- operative time interval when this difference becomes evident. Ninety-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days. Transverse incisions on the backs of control rats were closed with minimal tension. Experimental animals had skin excised to create closing tensions in excess of 70 grams. Sutures in all of the rats were removed at five days and animals were sacrificed at the designated healing intervals. Tensile strength was not significantly different at five days. However, wounds closed under tension showed significantly higher tensile strength at 7, 10, 14 and 21 days. Polynomial regression reveals a cubic relationship between healing time and tensile strength where there are two periods of rapid increase would strength. These results suggest that tensile strength of wounds closed under tension exceeds that of tensionless wounds as early as seven days following surgery.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA240918
Entities
People
- Bradley P. Pickett
- George Livermore
- Jafar Voussoughi
- Lawrence P. Burgess
- Thomas L. Tzikas
Organizations
- Walter Reed Army Medical Center