title: Epidermal cell outgrowth from CO2 laser- and scalpel-cut explants: implications for wound healing.
abstract: We set out to determine if the slow healing of CO2 laser-incised skin wounds compared with that of scalpel-incised wounds is the result of an inhibitory effect of the CO2 laser energy on the rate of epithelialization. We compared the rate of epidermal outgrowth from laser- and scalpel-cut explants in vitro. The onset of epidermal cell outgrowth (epiboly) from CO2 laser-incised skin was delayed, but there was no difference in the rate of epidermal cell outgrowth. These studies suggest that a delay in onset of epidermal migration, not a decreased rate of epidermal migration, contributes to the slower epithelialization of CO2 laser-incised skin wounds.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D046508:Culture Techniques; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing