Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of healing in full thickness cutaneous wounds

Rate of wound closure signifies the quantity and rate of wound maturation represents the quality of healing. The rate of wound closure is commonly evaluated by measuring the wound area and its maturation is evaluated by physical examinations. The aim of this study was to propose an accurate and sensitive semi-quantitative method for evaluation of quality and quantity of the wound healing in full thickness skin wounds of laboratory models.

20 white adult male rats were used in this experimental study. Full thickness wounds were generated on the back of rats and were evaluated after twelve days. In macroscopic study wound closure was determined by measuring the wound area using ScnImage software after photographing. The healing quality was evaluated by monitoring skin erythema and inflammation. In microscopic study wounds were harvested, fixed, processed and then stained with H&E. Wound closure was determined by microscopic examination of sections and maturation indices including inflammation, vascularity and cellularity were also determined.

By macroscopic examination 21.7% of wounds were close and 78.3% were open. Microscopic evaluation revealed that 40% of wounds were open and 60% were close. The scab on the wound surface was the reason for this significant difference (p<0.05). Microscopic examination revealed that maturation indices were different in the margin and center of wounds. These parameters could not be measured by macroscopic methods.

Macroscopic methods have considerable errors in evaluation of healing. Therefore, microscopic methods should be used in basic studies and evaluating the drug effects.