Wound contraction in an experimental porcine model

Wound contraction is thought to be independent of site, and circular full-thickness skin wounds are thought not to contract completely. To verify these statements four circular full-thickness skin wounds were created on each side of eight pigs and randomised to treatment with either split-thickness skin grafts, or healing by secondary intention under a hydrocolloid dressing. Time to healing, contraction, and final scar shape were evaluated. The median healing time was 12 days (range 6-18) in the grafted wounds and 30 days (range 15-45) in the secondarily healing wounds. There were significant differences in healing time between the different sites on the pigs. In the secondarily healing group, medial-caudal wounds healed in 21 (15-21) days compared with lateral wounds which healed in 36 (21-45) days (p