An experimental histological study was performed addressing the influence of therapeutic ultrasound on total-thickness skin grafts union in 20 adult female rabbits. Two 2-cm square-shaped grafts, were obtained at scapular regions with sides switched. The graft at right was irradiated on a daily basis (3 MHz, 0.5 W/cm2, for 5 minutes) from the third day on, during seven consecutive days; the graft at left received a sham treatment. The histological study in 5 µm-thick slides obtained from each graft and alternatively stained with Gomori trichromic, PCNA and picrosirius, included measurement of epidermal and dermal areas, proliferating cells on germinative layer counts, and neoformed vessels and collagen fibers direction. A significant increase of the number of proliferating cells (p=0.007) and of neoformed vessels (p=0.0001) was noticed on irradiated grafts, but not on epidermal and dermal areas. The authors concluded that the T-U/S induces morphological changes in biological processes involved on total-thickness skin graft union, such as germinative cells proliferation and new blood vessels formation, suggesting the potential for its clinical use in human beings.
Skin transplantation; Ultrasonic Therapy; Rabbits
