Influence of local or systemic corticosteroids on skin wound healing resistance.

PURPOSE To compare the resistance of skin wound healing of mice submitted to local or systemic hydrocortisone administration, in different postoperative periods. METHODS An incision and suture was performed on the thoracic skin of 130 male mice: Group 1 (n = 10) resistance of the integer skin; Group 2 (n = 30) submitted only to skin incision and suture; Group 3 (n = 30) skin incision and suture followed by administration of saline fluid; Group 4 (n = 30) skin incision and suture followed by administration of local hydrocortisone; Group 5 (n = 30) skin incision and suture followed by administration of systemic hydrocortisone. The resistance of the wound healing and the weight of the animals were studied on the seventh, 14(th) and 21(st) postoperative days. Histological examination was also performed. RESULTS The mice that received corticoid (groups 4 and 5) presented significant decreasing on their weight (p = 0.02). The Groups 3, 4 and 5 showed lower scar resistance than Group 2 on the seventh postoperative day (p < 0.05). On the 14(th) and 21(st) days, there was no difference on the skin would healing resistance (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Administration of hydrocortisone in mice is responsible for weight decreasing and reduction of the skin wound healing resistance during the first postoperative week.