In vivo evaluation of an ultra-thin polycaprolactone film as a wound dressing

J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2007;18(7):925-38. doi: 10.1163/156856207781367693.

Abstract

The use of ultra-thin films as dressings for cutaneous wounds could prove advantageous in terms of better conformity to wound topography and improved vapour transmission. For this purpose, ultra-thin poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) films of 5-15 microm thickness were fabricated via a biaxial stretching technique. To evaluate their in vivo biocompatibility and feasibility as an external wound dressing, PCL films were applied over full and partial-thickness wounds in rat and pig models. Different groups of PCL films were used: untreated, NaOH-treated, untreated with fibrin, NaOH-treated with perforations, and NaOH-treated with fibrin and S-nitrosoglutathione. Wounds with no external dressings were used as controls. Wound contraction rate, histology and biomechanical analyses were carried out. Wounds re-epithelialized completely at a comparable rate. Formation of a neo-dermal layer and re-epithelialization were observed in all the wounds. A lower level of fibrosis was observed when PCL films were used, compared to the control wounds. Ultimate tensile strength of the regenerated tissue in rats reached 50-60% of that in native rat skin. Results indicated that biaxially-stretched PCL films did not induce inflammatory reactions when used in vivo as a wound dressing and supported the normal wound healing process in full and partial-thickness wounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Male
  • Materials Testing
  • Models, Animal
  • Occlusive Dressings* / adverse effects
  • Polyesters / administration & dosage*
  • Polyesters / adverse effects
  • Polyesters / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Skin / cytology
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Skin / injuries*
  • Swine
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Polyesters
  • polycaprolactone