EVALUATION OF A THROMBOXANE SYNTHETASE INHIBITOR IN THE PREVENTION OFDERMAL PRESSURE LESIONS

Short limb, coaptation, walking casts with one layer of stockinette as lining were applied to one pelvic limb of 10 mature greyhound dogs. O ne group of five dogs received a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (TSI ) per os at 10mg/kg, t.i.d. while the casts were in place. The second group of five dogs received a placebo t.i.d. After 14 days, the casts were removed. The skin over the calcaneal tuberosity and medial malleo lus was observed for physical abnormalities. Skin biopsies were taken from these areas for thromboxane B2 analysis and histopathologic evalu ation. Based on all three parameters evaluated, the TSI had a sparing effect on skin subjected to pressure.