Objectives: The aim of this work was to compare the effect of the fibrin glue (Tissucol®) and the fibrin glue prepared from snake venom on wound healing in standardized open wounds prepared in rabbit palate.
Methods: Twenty-four female New Zealand rabbits with 60 days of age, were randomly divided into six groups of four animals each, related to the period of sacrifice (1,4,7,11,15 or 21 days). In each rabbit palate, three standardized wounds were made with a 5mm punch (Miltex Co., Lake Success, NY, USA) where each wound received randomly one of the treatment proposed (Tissuco®, Fibrin glue prepared from snake venom or saline). After sacrifice, the maxilla was removed and standard photographs from the wounded area were immediately taken, and the samples stored in buffered formaldehyde for 24 hours. Demineralization was performed with neutral EDTA. The lateral closure (perimeter of ulceration) of the wounds was measured macroscopically using a software to analyze digitized standard photographs at 1, 4 and 7 days after the surgical procedure. Histological analysis (Hematoxylin and Eosin) evaluated epithelial proliferation and development of granulation tissue and the macromolecular organization of matrix was observed with birrefingence of collagen bundles. Histometric analysis evaluated the area of birrefringent collagen fibers detected by color differentiation using a image analysis software (KS400-Kontron eletronics, Munich,Germany).
Results: Histological findings suggests that both fibrin glues showed a better healing than control. Collagen bundles tended to be thicker in fibrin glue groups than control (Tissucol=49625.25 pixels2;snake venom.=49984.72; saline=47023.44, Tukey Test. 5%). Macroscopic analysis revealed a tendency for fibrin glue treated wounds to heal faster (lateral closure) than control (Tukey 5%).
Conclusions: Within the limits of this work, it was possible to conclude that both fibrin glues were biocompatible and presented a positive effect on wound healing.
Supported by: FAPESP grant # 97-12662-3