Wound healing at the site of microvascular anastomosis: fibrin-stabilizing factor XIII administration and its effects

Factor XIII has recently been recognized to play an important role as a fibrin-stabilizing factor to accelerate the wound healing process. We made an attempt to analyze the effect of how Factor XIII affects the results of the healing process at the site of a microvascular anastomosis. The strong fibrin stabilizing property of plasma Factor XIII maintained its high activity when administered intravenously and was effective for wound healing in a low-activity state made by subcutaneous administration of carbon tetrachloride. The enhanced network formation of the Factor-XIII-injected group was indicated by the accelerated maturation of the fibrin structure at the anastomotic site, exhibited both qualitatively and quantitatively. Stimulation and acceleration by Factor XIII of the healing process at the site of microvascular anastomosis were observed. It is therefore suggested that clinical use of Factor XIII may enhance the microvascular repair process. Details of the analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a computerized graphic analyzer system (CGAS) are reported.