Effects of topical application of antimicrobials and bandaging on healing and granulation tissue formation in wounds of the distal aspect of the limbs in horses.

This research investigated whether topical application of povidone iodine ointment or silver sulfadiazine, with or without bandaging, affects the healing rate of horse limb wounds. The study found no significant differences in healing rates among different treatments, but observed that all bandaged wounds developed excessive granulation tissue, which required surgical removal.

Methodology

• The study involved six healthy adult horses. Each horse had six standardised skin wounds on the upper inner surfaces of their fore and hind legs.
• Each wound was treated differently: with bandaged 1% silver sulfadiazine cream, bandaged 1% silver sulfadiazine slow-release matrix, an unbandaged 1% silver sulfadiazine slow-release matrix, bandaged povidone-iodine ointment, a bandaged untreated control, and an unbandaged untreated control.
• The wound area, granulation (new tissue) area, and perimeter were measured using planimetry software applied to digital images. Excessive granulation tissue was surgically removed when detected.
• Parameters like healing days, healing rate, contraction rate, and epithelialization (new skin cells covering the wound) rate were compared among the procedure groups.

Results

• The study revealed no significant differences among any of the wound treatment groups in terms of healing parameters and average healing days.
• Percentage of wound contraction and rate of epithelialization were also similar among wound treatments.
• All bandaged wounds produced excessive granulation tissue, which had to be surgically removed. Meanwhile, none of the unbandaged wounds developed excessive granulation tissue.

Conclusions

• The rates of epithelialization and wound contraction were not different, regardless of whether wounds were bandaged or unbandaged, or which topical antimicrobial was used.
• Unbandaged wounds treated with a slow-release matrix of 1% silver sulfadiazine achieved the same healing results as those treated with medications beneath bandages, but without creating excessive granulation tissue.