Hyperthermia Can Accelerate the Healing Process of 2nd Degree Burn Wounds

Abstract

The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of local hyperthermia on the healing of burn wounds. Right and Left flunks of 8 Balb-c mice (as treated and control wounds respectively) were burned. Local hyperthermia was applied only for the burn wounds of the right flunks (the treated wound). Sampling was accomplished on the 6th day for half of the mice and on the 9th day for the other half. The treated wounds had significantly smaller sizes than control wounds on the 6th day (P=0.019) and the 9th day (P=0.007). The number of hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the treated wounds were significantly more than those of control wounds both on the 6th day (P=0.025 & P=0.043, respectively) and on the 9th day (P=0.012 & P=0.033, respectively). Regarding the neovascularization there was no significant difference between the treated and control wounds on the 6th day but on the 9th day the neovascularization of the treated wounds was significantly more comparing to the control wounds (P=0.025). Acute inflammation of the treated wounds was significantly less than the control wounds (P=0.015). Collagen formation and reepithelialization in the treated wounds were more than the control wounds both on the 6th and 9th days. It is concluded that local hyperthermia can accelerate the healing process of the second degree burn wounds.