title: The role of topical agents in the healing of full-thickness wounds.
abstract: Eight topical agents in current use were studied for their effects on wound contraction and rate of reepithelialization of full-thickness excisions using a porcine animal model. The following agents were applied daily for a period of 27 days: scarlet red ointment, benzoyl peroxide lotion, bacitracin ointment, silver sulfadiazine cream, aloe vera gel, tretinoin cream, capsaicin cream, and mupirocin ointment. The rate of reepithelialization was significantly enhanced by treatment with capsaicin, bacitracin, silver sulfadiazine, and scarlet red, and was markedly retarded by treatment with tretinoin. Wound contraction was significantly retarded by mupirocin, bacitracin, and silver sulfadizine. Knowledge of the effects of topical agents on various aspects of healing allows the clinician to choose the most appropriate material to use in a given clinical situation to optimize the healing process and produce the best final result.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of California, Sacramento 95816.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Watcher
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wheeland
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000504:Aloe; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002482:Cellulose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D005990:Glycerol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016712:Mupirocin; D010710:Phosphates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012837:Silver Sulfadiazine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001391:Azo Compounds; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005227:Fatty Acids; C042973:K-Y jelly; D010710:Phosphates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D001414:Bacitracin; D014212:Tretinoin; D002482:Cellulose; D016712:Mupirocin; C009213:Scarlet Red; D005990:Glycerol; D002211:Capsaicin; D012837:Silver Sulfadiazine; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide