Collagenase cream in non-stitched skin wounds after punch biopsy

BACKGROUND: The use of debriding drugs is not common in a situation of acute wound healing, despite its widespread use in chronic wound healing, with satisfactory results. Collagenase is one of the most used debriding drugs, and its application after a non-stitched skin wound biopsy could lead to a better wound healing outcome and less complication METHODS AND FINDINGS: Fifteen Wistar rats were used in this study; four excisional wounds were performed on the dorsum of each animal. Once in a day, collagenase cream was applied in the cranial wounds, while the caudal wounds were washed with isotonic saline. After 7, 14 and 21 postoperative days, 5 animals were randomly chosen for macroscopic and microscopic wound analysis. At the 7 th postoperative day: collagenase cream induced greater monocytes invasion, fibroblast invasion, collagen deposit, angiogenesis and reepithelialization. 14 th postoperative day: collagenase cream induced greater neutrophils invasion, fibroblasts invasion, collagen deposit, reepithelialization and higher proportion of type I collagen fibers. 21 st postoperative day:  collagenase cream led to greater angiogenesis and reepithelialization. CONCLUSION: Collagenase cream led to a better wound healing outcome than simply saline rinse, induced earlier angiogenesis and inflammatory step; greater collagen deposit and reepithelialization.