Extracorporeal shockwave therapy as supplemental therapy for closure of large full thickness defects—Rat full-thickness skin graft model

Abstract Skin grafting is one of the most common treatment options for permanent replacement of lost skin. Successful healing and engraftment is destined by degree of ischemia, angiogenesis and inflammation in the graft tissue. Exrtacorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been shown to have beneficial effects in soft tissue wounds through increase in perfusion, angiogenesis and suppression of inflammation. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of single and repeated ESWT on skin graft survival and healing.