CONTRACTION RATE AND RE-EPITHELIALIZATION TIME OF FULL  THICKNESS EXCISION WOUNDS OF RATS TREATED WITH DIFFERENT  CONCENTRATIONS OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

S. O. Udegbunam; S. Ogbobe; H. N. Okereke; R. I. Udegbunam; A. S. Enejere; T. H. Ezeobialu

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.4954

Authors

S. O. Udegbunam University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
S. Ogbobe University of Nigeria, Nsukka
H. N. Okereke University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
R. I. Udegbunam University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
A. S. Enejere University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
T. H. Ezeobialu University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4954

Keywords:

excision wounds, hydrogen peroxide, rat, re-epithelialisation, contraction

Abstract

The aim of this study was to validate and hence evaluate the effects of different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on the healing of excision wounds in rats. Following wound creation, the animals in their respective groups were treated as follows; group A-0.9% normal saline (control), group B-1% hydrogen peroxide, group C-3% hydrogen peroxide and group D-5% hydrogen peroxide. Post-wounding, rate of wound contraction and re-epithelialisation time were used to assess the wound healing rate. Group C animals achieved 100% wound contraction on day 21 while 68.75%, 79.33% and 79.00% were obtained on the same day in groups A, B and D respectively. The result of this study has validated 3% hydrogen peroxide as the optimum concentration necessary for wound dressing since it provided the environment necessary for faster rate of wound contraction and healing with no visible side effect in this study.