Features of healing of full-thickness skin wounds in laboratory rats under gauze and hydrogel dressings

Objective. To compare the dynamics and duration of healing of full-thickness skin wounds under gauze and hydrogel dressings (Vap-Gel and HydroTac Transparent), as well as to evaluate their effect on the activity of immunocompetent cells and histological features of skin regeneration.

Materials and methods. Thirty-one female Wistar rats were used, and full-thickness skin defects were created in the interscapular region. Three groups received different dressings: gauze (control), Vap-Gel, and HydroTac Transparent. Healing was monitored for 20 days through wound measurements, histological analysis, and immunological studies. The data has been processed statistically.

Results. It was found that the Vap-Gel hydrogel particles were integrated into the granulation tissue. Immunological studies highlighted reduced neutrophil activity in Vap-Gel-treated wounds. Both of these features had no significant effect on the duration of wound healing. HydroTac Transparent caused slower epidermization compared to gauze. Histological analysis revealed alterations in epidermis thickness and granulation tissue structure among groups. The mean epidermal thickness on the wound surface was 20-30 percent thinner in the groups treated with hydrogel dressings compared to the control group (p <0.05).

Conclusion. It suggests that hydrogel dressings offer some advantages over traditional gauze in healing uninfected wounds. In general, the studied wound dressings provided a similar speed of the wound healing process. However, the observed changes in granulation tissue structure and local immune response suggest the need for further research to better understand the mechanisms of hydrogel dressings and optimize their application in wound care.

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