Effects of a Topically Applied Oral Wound Dressing Film on Intra-oral Wound Healing in Rabbits

Abstract

Background/Aim: Oral lesions are a common clinical symptom that can impair the quality of life of patients. Several treatments have been developed; however, therapies for wounds on the oral mucosa are symptomatic and unsatisfactory. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an oral wound dressing (OWD) film in healing excision and chemical burns using a rabbit oral wound model and to demonstrate the effect of physical barriers during wound healing. Materials and Methods: Excision and chemical burn wounds were induced on the oral hard palate of animals. Four experimental groups were established. The OWD film was applied immediately after surgery and replaced every 24 h over the following 3 days. The animals were sacrificed at 3, 7, and 14 days after surgery. The hard palate tissues were analyzed by histological and immunohistochemical evaluation. The degree of epithelialization, number of proliferating cells, and collagen deposition were evaluated. Statistical significance was analyzed using the Student's t-test. Results: Following application of the OWD film to the excision and chemical burn wounds, the OWD treatment group's epithelial gap and proliferation showed a significant difference compared to those of the untreated group during the proliferative stage of wound healing. However, there was no difference in the epithelial gap in the chemical burn wound model, whereas the OWD treatment group showed a significantly reduced ulcerated area. Collagen deposition in the OWD treatment group was significantly increased during the remodeling stage of wound healing. Conclusion: The OWD film treatment promoted wound healing in the oral mucosa by accelerating wound closure and reconstruction.