Early post-burn oedema in leucocyte-free rats.

A highly standardized, reproducible burn model on rat hind paws with objective measurement of oedema volume was used to study the post-burn oedema formation in leucocyte-free rats as compared to a matched group of normal rats. No difference in oedema volume could be detected during the first 4 h post-burn. Thus the mechanical effect of sticking leucocytes in the injured area or leucocyte derived substances do not seem to play any significant role in the early local oedema formation which we postulate is entirely mediated by local events.