Acellular dermal matrix in skin wound healing in rabbits - histological and histomorphometric analyses

To analyze the histology and histomorphometry of healing associated with acellular dermal matrix in skin wounds in rabbits. Twelve male rabbits were divided into two groups: the control group (CG) and the matrix group (MG). Three skin wounds with a total area of 20 × 20 mm were created on the dorsal region of each animal. Photographic records of the lesions taken over a 21-day period and use of the ImageJ program allowed calculation of the wound contraction rate. The lesions were biopsied on days 3, 14 and 21 for histomorphometric analysis to define the thicknesses of the dermis and epidermis (hematoxylin-eosin) and calculate the densities of type I and type III collagen (picrosirius). No significant difference in the healing rate was found between the groups (p>0.05). The MG presented greater epidermal thickness on day 3 (p