Effects of 25% propylene glycol hydrogel (Solugel) on second intention wound healing in horses.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of using a specific type of gel, Solugel (containing 25% propylene glycol), on the healing process of skin wounds on horses’ limbs. The results showed that using Solugel did not significantly affect the speed or quality of the wound healing.

Study Approach

• The research was experimental and involved eight Standardbred horses. It focused on evaluating the effects of a commercially available hydrogel preparation, Solugel, on healing full-thickness skin wounds.
• The investigation took place on the lower part (distal aspect) of the horses’ limbs. The team created standardized 2.5 x 2.5 cm skin wounds over the mid-dorsomedial part of each metacarpus in the horses.
• Each horse had two wounds. One was dressed with gauze soaked in saline solution (0.9% NaCl), and the other was treated with Solugel under a regular dry gauze.
• Once dressed, the wounds were wrapped with cotton wool coated in gauze and elastic adhesive bandages.

Study Methodology

• Each wound was videorecorded and rebandaged twice a week until it completely healed. This monitoring allowed for close observation of the healing process under both treatments.
• The researchers measured various wound healing outcomes using a computer software package. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with repeated measures to ensure the reliability of the findings.

Study Findings

• The initial stage of healing (wound area at the first bandage change) did not show any significant difference whether the wound was treated with Solugel or the saline solution.
• Solugel treatment had no effect on the total rate of healing or the stages of retraction in the healing process. This means the speed and way the wound healed were not influenced by the Solugel.
• The study found no benefits of using Solugel on healing small full-thickness skin wounds on the horse’s distal limb.

To sum up, the research concludes that using Solugel on wounds does not offer any advantages over wounds dressed only with a saline solution. Therefore, Solugel does not significantly improve healing in second intention wounds on horses.