Ashok Kumar Balwada, Sandeep Kumar*, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Naveen Kumar, Swapan Kumar Maiti
Division of Surgery, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India- 243122.
*Corresponding author: drskgvet@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted in eighteen wistar rats of either sex divided into two equal groups (n = 9) to evaluate the healing potential of bovine collagen sheet with fibroblast cell. Full thickness skin wound (20 X 20 mm2) was created on dorsal region of thorax of adult wistar rats. Topical application of paraffin gauze over the wound acted as control (Group -A). The second group (Group - B) animals were treated with collagen sheet and fibroblast cell. Clinical observations, gross observation, exudation, granulation tissue, peripheral swelling and the contraction rate of the wounds were recorded on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 post surgery at different interval in both groups. Early granulation tissue formation with reduced exudation and peripheral swelling was observed in treatment group-B and proved better than that of group - A. The percent of wound contraction was similar to gross findings, however, in group - B, complete wound healing was observed on day 17 - 18, but in group - A (control), healing was completed by day 27 - 28. The large wound that cannot be corrected by conventional surgical procedures can be corrected by these cells and graft material to ensure early wound healing. This study will help to heal large skin wound in animals.

Key Words: Bovine collagen sheet, Fibroblast cell, Wistar Rat, Skin, Wound healing.