Analysis of the collagen content and tensile strength of the aponeurotic scar - an experimental study In pigs

The resistance of aponeurosis strips taken from 40 pigs (with and without s car in the middle) was tested for stretching and force of rupture. The anim als were sacrificed at 7, 15, 30 and 60 post-operative days. Specimens were taken for analysis of the collagen I and III content. In all animals were sacrificed at 7 days PO, some strips ruptured in the scar. Rupture coincide d with the scar in six animals at 15 days. At 30-60 days, none of the strip s tore at the scar site, the injury occurring at the site of the healthy ti ssue. The force of rupture and stretching indexes were the lowest at 15 day s, and then increased after. At 30 days the maximum value of collagen I was achieved. The scar of aponeurosis at 30 days had enough resistance to with stand the tensions to which it would be submitted and the major resistance was due to and was represented by the increase in amount of collagen I. The authors concluded that the collagen I and III content is a good con-elatio n parameter of tensile resistance of the aponeurosis scar in pigs.