The effect of chlorhexidine irrigation on tensile wound strength.
Chlorhexidine in an alcohol vehicle with flavoring agents has been used as a mouthrinse to reduce plaque accumulation in periodontal surgery patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a chlorhexidine-containing mouthrinse on the early tensile wound strength of healing surgical wounds in the rat. Standardized transdermal incisions were made on each lateral abdominal wall of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats. Wounds were irrigated with 10 ml of 0.12% chlorhexidine or 10 ml of normal saline prior to closure. Animals were sacrificed at 48 hours and 96 hours, and the wound area was excised by a standardized protocol. Wound strength was measured using constant speed tensiometry to determine the tensile strength of the healing incision. Results revealed a significantly reduced tensile wound strength at 48 hours for the chlorhexidine-treated group (127 +/- 18.5 gm) compared to the saline irrigation group (150 +/- 32.3 gm) (P < 0.001). However, by 96 hours a significantly increased tensile wound strength was demonstrated by the chlorhexidine treated group (202.1 +/- 21.7 gm) compared to the saline irrigation group (183.2 +/- 37.3 gm) (P < 0.05). These data suggest that chlorhexidine-containing mouthrinse irrigation of wounds produced a reduced early tensile wound strength, but ultimately resulted in shorter healing time.
Shahan
M H
MH
U.S. Army Dental Activity, Fort Gordon, GA.
Chuang
A H
AH
Brennan
W A
WA
Dirksen
T R
TR
Van Dyke
T E
TE
McPherson
J C
JC
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D009067:Mouthwashes; D002710:Chlorhexidine