THE EFFECTS OF EXOGENOUS ESTROGEN ON WOUND-HEALING IN DOGS

Study Objective: To determine the efficacy of topical estrogen therapy in promoting the healing of genital injuries in prepubertal females. Design: Animal study. Setting: Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Cli nic in Memphis, Tennessee. Participants: Four prepubertal dogs. Interv entions: Four surgical incisions of predetermined length and depth wer e performed in a radial fashion into the vagina of each dog. Two dogs were treated with topical estrogen cream, and two dogs received no spe cial wound care. Keyes punch biopsies were obtained at 3, 7, 14, and 2 1 days postoperatively. The biopsies were reviewed by a pathologist in a blinded fashion and graded as to the extent of inflammation and hea ling. Main Outcome Measures: The biopsies were reviewed by a pathologi st in a blinded fashion and graded as to the extent of inflammation an d healing. Results: Treated animals appeared to achieve a more complet e resolution of the injury at 2 weeks when compared with untreated ani mals. Untreated dogs experienced a delay in the healing response. Conc lusion: The findings of this study add support to the use of estrogen therapy in prepubertal girls with genital injuries.