HIGH-VOLTAGE GALVANIC STIMULATION ON WOUND-HEALING IN GUINEA-PIGS - LONGER-TERM EFFECTS

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of high -voltage stimulation (HVS) on wound tensile strength properties and wo und closure (histology). Eighteen mature guinea pigs with full-thickne ss incisions were treated with HVS for 45 minutes daily for 2 weeks; 9 animals were studied after the 14 days of treatment and the remaining 9 were studied 2 weeks later. Five animals (10 wounds) served as cont rols at each time period. After 2 or 4 weeks, treated and untreated sk in was harvested, tested to failure, and prepared for histological exa mination. Two-week-treated and control wounds had comparable values fo r peak force to failure, elongation, and energy absorbed to failure. E pithelialization was more advanced in treated animals at 14 days (p <. 05). There was a trend (p = .068) toward stronger wounds in 4-week-tre ated animals (maximum load to failure), but no differences were observ ed between controls and treated groups for elongation or energy absorb ed to failure. Dermal healing appeared to be more advanced in treated animals at 30 days. Although peak force to failure was almost 500g hig her for treated guinea pigs after 2 weeks of treatment and more than 7 00g higher than controls after 4 weeks, mean data were highly variable , so the hypothesis that HVS augments wound strength could not be acce pted, It is difficult, however, not to assign clinical significance to the findings. (C) 1995 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Med icine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation