The Effect of Propofol Anesthesia on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Rats

The present study surveys the effects of propofol on cutaneous wound healing in rats.
36 adult female Strague-Dawely rats were divided into three groups randomly; in group one propofol (60 mg/kg) and ketamine (40 mg/kg) combination; in group two ketamine (50 mg/kg), and in group three propofol (100 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. Following routine surgical preparation, 1.5×1.5 cm wounds were created on the back of the rats. Wound size was evaluated daily and then the wound area was calculated by Digimizer software. Following euthanasia on day 21 after wounding, 1×1 cm skin samples were collected for histopathological evaluations and hydroxyproline content.
Wound size and hydroxyproline content showed no significant difference in propofol group compared to ketamine and propofol-ketamine groups. Fibroblast content and vascularity revealed no significant difference between groups. Inflammatory cell infiltration in ketamine group, collagen deposition in ketamine-propofol groups, and epithelial regeneration in propofol group were significantly higher in comparison with others.
In conclusion, single use of propofol has no adverse effect on cutaneous wound healing in rats compared to ketamine, but evaluation of its positive effects on wound healing necessitates more detailed studies.