Experimental study of decubitus ulcer formation in the rabbit ear lobe

An animal model of decubitus ulcer was created with the use of ear lobes of Japanese white rabbits. When the strength of the cyclic compressions and the duration of the cycles of compression and release are adjusted, the model successfully reproduced the four grades used to characterize decubitus ulcer. Compressions were recorded with video microscopy to continuously monitor the changes in tissue blood flow, in both the compressed and surrounding regions. This model is unique insofar as the blood-flow characteristics are clearly visible before, during, and after compression. Because long-term observation is possible in a living-body model, our study can easily be extended.