Splint-free line drawing model: An innovative method for excisional wound models

Abstract

The physiological phenomenon of wound contraction in mice cannot completely imitate the process of human skin regeneration, which is primarily attributed to reepithelialisation. As such, excisional wound models in mice are considered to be imperfect comparisons. This study aimed to enhance the correlation of mouse excisional wound models with that of humans, and to offer more practical and accurate ways to record and measure wound areas. We present evidence that simple excisional wounds produce a robust and stable wound model by comparing splint-free and splint groups. We monitored reepithelialisation and contraction in the C57BL/6J mouse excision wound model at different time points and prove that excisional wounds heal by both contraction and reepithelialisation. Some parameters were measured and a formula was used to calculate the area of wound reepithelialisation and contraction. In our results, reepithelialisation accounted for 46% of the wound closure of full-thickness excisional wounds. In conclusion, excisional wound models can be used as wound-healing models and a straightforward formula may be used to determine the process of reepithelialisation over a wound bed created by a simple excisional rodent wound model.

Keywords: excisional wound model; splint-free; wound healing.