Premium
The effect of wound ointments on tissue microcirculation and leucocyte behaviour
Author(s) -
Peter F. W.,
LiPeuser H.,
Vogt P. M.,
Muehlberger T.,
Homann H. H.,
Steinau H. U.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
clinical and experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1365-2230
pISSN - 0307-6938
DOI - 10.1046/j.0307-6938.2001.00937.x
Subject(s) - microcirculation , cremaster muscle , medicine , perfusion , wound healing , blood flow , pathology , surgery
Summary An intact microcirculation is essential for normal healing to occur. Wound repair may be impaired by various endogenous and exogenous factors, such as reduced microvascular perfusion, infection and debris. In the nonhealing wound, radical surgical debridement is critical. To supplement healing, various ointments are used in clinical practice. Little is known about their effects on tissue perfusion. We have therefore selected two substances widely used, the antiseptic Betadine ® and the enzyme combination Elase ® and investigated their impact on the microcirculation and on leucocyte activity, using the cremaster muscle as a model. We found that functional capillary density and arteriolar diameters were significantly reduced by Betadine ® , whereas leucocyte activity was not affected. In the Elase ® group, capillary flow and arteriolar diameters were significantly increased, and again leucocyte activity was not changed. The mechanism by which Betadine ® reduces microvascular flow is believed to be the same as in reperfusion injury. The positive effect of Elase ® on the microcirculation might be attributed to plasmin, which has been shown to dilate blood vessels.