The Effect of Systemic Isotretinoin on Wound Contraction in Guinea Pigs

Abstract

An experimental study was designed using Hartley guinea pigs to evaluate wound contraction on animals receiving systemic isotretinoin at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Half the animals received isotretinoin for 4 weeks before the surgery and for 2 weeks after the surgical procedure. A square of skin and panniculus carnosus measuring 200 mm² was excised from the back of each animal, and the amount of wound contraction was determined by a computer program from the drawings on celluloid overlays done weekly. The animals on systemic isotretinoin had a significant delay in wound contraction when compared to control animals (p < 0.001). When the medication was discontinued, all the animals had complete wound healing within a week.