Weak direct current accelerates split-thickness graft healing on tangentially excised second-degree burns

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Wound Healing Research
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Deep partial-thickness burns require effective wound closure strategies.
• Split-thickness skin grafting is a common treatment for extensive burns.
• Optimizing graft healing and long-term outcomes remains a clinical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of direct current (DC) delivered via silver-nylon dressings on split-thickness graft healing.
• To assess the effects of DC therapy on graft revascularization, adherence, and morphologic maturation.
• To compare long-term graft outcomes, including contraction, hair growth, and fibrosis, between DC-treated and control groups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 120 male guinea pigs with tangentially excised deep partial-thickness burn wounds.
• Applied silver-nylon dressings delivering direct current (DC) to experimental grafts.
• Assigned control animals to standard wound care without DC treatment.
• Monitored graft revascularization, adherence, epithelial proliferation, and long-term morphologic changes.

Main Results:

• DC-treated grafts achieved complete revascularization in 2 days versus 7 days for controls (p < 0.01).
• Enhanced epithelial proliferation and firmer graft adherence within 4 days were observed in DC-treated animals.
• At 3 months, DC-treated grafts showed expansion, abundant hair growth, and significantly reduced dermal fibrosis (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Direct current (DC) therapy through silver-nylon dressings accelerates split-thickness graft healing and improves morphologic maturation.
• DC treatment enhances critical healing parameters such as revascularization and adherence.
• The findings suggest DC therapy is a promising modality for improving outcomes in burn wound reconstruction.