DICLOFENAC AND INDOMETHACIN INFLUENCE THE HEALING OF NORMAL AND ISCHEMIC INCISIONAL WOUNDS IN SKIN

The influence of diclofenac and indomethacin on the healing of normal (non-ischaemic) incisional wounds, and of ischaemic incisional wounds using a flap model, was studied in 192 rats. Both drugs improved the s trength of normal wounds as the energies at maximum load and stress in creased by 23%-33% after 10 days. After 20 days the treated normal wou nds were stiffer. In ischaemic wounds neither drug influenced the biom echanical properties after 10 days, which reflects the healing of the deep dermis, but both countered the ischaemia of the superficial skin as the necroses on the skin flaps decreased. After 20 days the drugs d ecreased some of the strength parameters of ischaemic wounds, indometh acin in particular, which decreased these parameters by about 20%-35%. In conclusion, in certain doses the drugs improved the healing of nor mal wounds. The healing of ischaemic wounds was unaffected after 10 da ys but decreased after 20 days. The drugs may, however, be used for re ducing superficial necroses of skin flaps.