Effects of electrical currents on wound contraction.

A prospective randomized evaluation of the potential beneficial effects of electrical currents has been studied in 13 wounds in 7 pigs. The effect of electrical current was assessed by evaluation of wound contraction and residual open wound area. A 35 mA unipolar square wave stimulation for one-half hour stimulation periods twice a day showed consistent results in 13 wounds in 7 pigs. Application of negative currents shows no stimulation of wound contracture. In fact, negative currents seemed to retard wound contracture. After two weeks of treatment, the control wound had decreased to 58% of its original size, whereas wounds treated with negative currents were 93% of their original size. On the other hand, negative currents alternating with positive currents increased the rate of wound contraction for the first two to three weeks of treatment. At two weeks these wounds were 18% of their original size and continued to decrease to 5% by three weeks. Wound contraction may be increased by electrical currents. The concept of alternating negative and positive currents has not been previously described and seems to offer some promise in this early study. Further work is underway to define the exact values required for the maximum effects on wound contraction.