[Influence of local application of basic fibroblast growth factor on resistance to local infection after standardized...

The aim of the study was to obtain information on the importance/influence of local application of an angiogenic potent growth factor (bFGF) on local infection resistance after soft tissue trauma.A paired comparison of infection rates was carried out on Sprague-Dawley rats after standardized, closed soft tissue trauma and local, percutaneous bacterial inoculation of different concentrations (2 x 10(4)-2 x 10(7)), whereby the lower leg was treated with 1, 10, and 100 ng bFGF (n=16 each) and without bFGF (n=16). Statistical evaluation of the differences between the infection rates of both groups was performed using the two-sided Fisher's exact test ( p<0.05). For the group without bFGF application, the infection rate was 25%. In the groups with 1, 10, and 100 ng bFGF application, the infection rates were 50%, 69%, and 81%. The difference in the infection rates for the groups in which 10 and 100 ng bFGF were applied was highly significant ( p=0.032/ p=0.004) compared with the group without bFGF. If these initial results are confirmed for other angiogenic potent growth factors, then the local application of growth factors to stimulate wound and bone healing will need to be reconsidered and preceded by a very strict evaluation of the risks and benefits.