The repair processes of incised
wounds depend, in part, on fibroplasia induced by soluble mediators from monocytic macrophages. Two topical antimicrobials were evaluated, each of which effectively controlled
wound sepsis and yet each had widely different effects on fibroplasia and
wound strength. Paired-incision dermal
wounds on the flanks of guinea pigs were treated with a substance containing reactive
chlorine (
Alcide) or with a compound that is a mixture of two
surfactants. One side of each guinea pig was treated with one of the antimicrobials (treated
wounds); the opposite side was treated with isotonic
saline solution (control
wounds). At 7, 10, and 16 days after surgery, tensiometric measurements of
C31G (a
surfactant)-treated
wounds were 99%, 139%, and 195% of control
wound values, respectively.
Alcide-treated
wounds were 76%, 58%, and 88% of control
wounds, respectively.
Wounds treated with
chlorhexidine had reduced strength at 7 days (73%) and
at 10 days (78%), but by 14 days, they were similar to control
wounds (94%). The main difference between the
wounds was the amount of
collagen formation.
Alcide-treated
wounds incorporated less than 50% of the amount of 14C-proline than did the
wounds treated with
C31G. However,
Alcide-treated
wounds epithelialized as rapidly as did control
wounds, and had minimal
scar formation. Microscopic evaluations indicated greatly reduced inflammatory infiltrates in
Alcide-treated
wounds, indicating that reduced
wound strength may be associated with lack of fibroblast-stimulating activity by monocytes.