CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEW IN-VITRO BURN WOUND MODEL

Previous studies of the healing process in burn wounds have largely be en dependent on different animal models. These models are not only eth ically questionable but are also combined with several systemic variab les that are difficult to control and standardize. The aim of this stu dy was to develop a standardized and repeatable in vitro model of the burn wound in human skin. Burn wounds with a standardized area and dep th were created in human skin from routine breast reduction operations and incubated in vitro. The re-epithelialization of the wounds was fo llowed throughout the time of incubation (14 days) by fixing and stain ing wounds every second day. After 14 days of incubation, the viabilit y of the cells in the epidermis and dermis was confirmed by isolation and culture in vitro. The wounds incubated in 10 per cent fetal calf s erum were shown to heal after 7 days, whereas wounds incubated in 2 pe r cent serum did not show any sign of re-epithelization. However, both epidermal and dermal cells from wounds incubated in 2 per cent serum were shown to be viable after 2 weeks of incubation. These findings in dicate that the phases of the healing process in burn wounds, as well as stimulatory effects on the wound healing process by different pharm acological agents and treatments. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd for IS BI.