In vivo evaluation of a novel alginate dressing

Alginate dressings are currently used in the management of epidermal and dermal wounds, and provide a moist environment that leads to rapid granulation and reepithelialization. However, a cytotoxic effect on proliferation of fibroblasts and residual material with inflammation in healing wounds have been reported recently. We have developed a new alginate dressing (AGA‐100), which does not have an inhibitory effect on proliferation of fibroblasts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the new alginate dressing with respect to wound healing in full‐ and partial‐thickness pig wounds and with respect to biodegradation following implantation into rabbit muscle. Kaltostat and Sorbsan, both well‐established commercial dressings, were used as control. The closure rate of full‐thickness wounds treated with AGA‐100 was significantly higher on day 15 compared with that with Kaltostat and Sorbsan. Reepithelialization rate of partial‐thickness wounds treated with Sorbsan was statistically significantly lower on day 3 than those with the other two dressings. As to dressing debris remained in the healing wound, a large amount of foreign debris was noted in all the full‐thickness wounds treated with Kaltostat or Sorbsan, while only about one‐third of wounds treated with AGA‐100 showed a little dressing debris. AGA‐100 implanted into the muscle of rabbits was bioresorbed completely within 3 months. Therefore, dressing residue in AGA‐100‐treated full‐thickness wounds might be fully absorbed in a few months. In conclusion, it is shown that our newly developed AGA‐100 possesses superior properties compared with typical alginate dressings. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 48: 522–527, 1999