The effects of wound lavage solutions on canine fibroblasts: an in vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), sterile tap water, normal saline, and Ringer's lactate on wound healing in an in vitro model.


METHODS
The effects of PBS, sterile tap water, normal saline, and Ringer's lactate on a primary line of canine embryonic fibroblasts were determined.


METHODS
A primary line of canine embryonic fibroblasts.


METHODS
The effects of the various lavage solutions were determined by (1) vital staining of the treated cells with a 0.5% trypan blue solution, (2) evaluation of the amount of lactate dehydrogenase released by the treated cells, and (3) cytopathologic evaluation of hematoxylin and eosin-stained monolayers of treated canine fibroblasts. The cells were exposed to the lavage treatments for the following time intervals: 0.5 minute, 1 minute, 2.5 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes. PBS was used as the control.


RESULTS
Sterile tap water significantly damaged canine fibroblasts at all time intervals (P = .05). This was attributed to the alkaline pH, hypotonicity, and presence of numerous cytotoxic trace elements in the tap water used. Cytotoxic effects were noted in fibroblasts after 10 minutes' exposure to normal saline; this may be because of the acidic pH of normal saline and lack of a buffering system. Ringer's lactate did not induce any significant fibroblast injury.


CONCLUSIONS
PBS and Ringer's lactate do not induce any significant fibroblast injury, whereas normal saline and sterile tap water cause mild and severe cytotoxic effects in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
Further clinical investigation is indicated to establish whether Ringer's lactate is the wound lavage solution of choice compared with normal saline. Sterile tap water may cause considerable fibroblast injury.
Buffa
E A
EA
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa.
Lubbe
A M
AM
Verstraete
F J
FJ
Swaim
S F
SF
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002021:Buffers; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004285:Dogs; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D002021:Buffers; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate; D014867:Water; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase