The influence of dressings on the healing of normal and ischaemic wounds and flap survival.

The effects of dressing with Duoderm (occlusive hydrocolloid) and Mepore (permeable viscose) on the healing of normal and ischaemic incisional wounds, and on flap survival, were investigated in 60 rats. The biomechanical properties of dressed normal wounds after 14 days did not differ from those of the undressed controls. In contrast, energies at maximum and breaking (load*S, stress*S) of dressed ischaemic wounds decreased by 30%-42% after 14 days of healing, compared with undressed ischaemic controls. Dressing decreased the shrinkage of ischaemic wounds and necrosis length of ischaemic flaps. Normal incisional wounds can safely be dressed for 14 days without the wound strength being affected. Dressings may be useful clinically in preventing superficial dermal necroses. One must, however, be aware of the impairment of the wound strength of ischaemic incisional wounds.