Effects of high voltage stimulation on cutaneous wound healing in rabbits

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether high voltage stimulation (HVS) enhances wound healing. Forty female rabbits were assigned to experimental or control groups and followed for four or seven days. We classified the groups as Exp4, Con4, Exp7, and Con7, respectively. Each animal was anesthetized, and a full-thickness incision, 3.5-cm long, was made on its back. After 24 hours, Exp4 and Exp7 rabbits received HVS with a negative polarity for two hours twice daily. Although tensile-strength values were 36% higher for Exp4 rabbits than for Con4 rabbits, no significant differences in tensile strength or percentage of wound closure existed between the two groups. After seven days, Con7 rabbits had a higher percentage of wound closure and significantly greater tensile-strength measures than Exp7 rabbits. Histologic examination of the wounds did not provide clear-cut evidence of differences between the experimental and control groups. Results suggest that 1) HVS did not significantly improve wound healing for Exp4 rabbits and 2) HVS as given, may have hampered the healing process for Exp7 rabbits.