Carbomer 940 Hydrogel Enhances Capillary Blood Flow and Tissue Viability in a Skin Burn Wound

Objective- To evaluate the application of Carbomer 940 hydrogel on saving zone of stasis in skin burn wound. Design- Experimental study Animals- Twenty rats. Procedures- After shaving the backs, a ‘comb burn’ was contacted bilaterally on the dorsum of the rats 0.5 cm lateral and parallel to the midline by using a brass probe consisting of four rows (10×20 mm) and three interspaces (5×20 mm). All rats randomly separated into experimental and control groups. After burn induction, Carbomer 940 hydrogel was administered topically to the experimental group while 0.9% saline was administered through the same route in the control group. Dressings were changed every day. Doppler flowmetry measurements and histopathology were used for evaluation of perfusion and viability in the zone of stasis. Blood flow measurements repeated every 24 hours and skin specimens were taken at day 3 for histopathology evaluation. Results- Our results show that blood flow in zone of stasis increased 24 hours post-burning in experimental group and the differences between the results obtained from the experimental and the control groups were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) at 24, 48 and 72 hours after burn creation. Histopathologically, epithelial tissue in zone of stasis in experimental group statistically more than the control group and sebaceous glands and hair follicles remained viable in group treated by hydrogel. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Our experimental study revealed that Carbomer 940 hydrogel improved tissue perfusion and decreased the area of skin necrosis in the zone of stasis in rats. Application of this hydrogel in treatment of burn injury has positive effects and causes better burn wound healing in rats.