The Effects of Botulinum Toxin A on the Wound and Skin Graft Contraction

Objective: In the current study, we investigated the efficiency of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) on wound and skin graft contractions. Methods: Thirty adult female Wistar rats weighing 150 to 200 g were used. The rats were divided into 2 groups. As each rat in these groups underwent 2 different procedures, those groups also were divided into 2 subgroups. Group 1 (n = 15) was assigned as the control group. Pair of full-thickness skin grafts of 40 x 20 mm was harvested from the 2 sides of the dorsal regions of the rats. The full-thickness skin graft harvested from the left side was readapted (Group 1A), and the right side was left as an open wound (Group 1B). The rats in the second group (n = 15) underwent the same procedures and botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) 0.5-international unit injection to the graft area (Group 2A) and open wound area (Group 2B). Results: A decrease in the amount of the contraction was observed in the groups, which underwent BTX-A injection. In the histologic examination, it was observed that inflammation and collagen amount was higher, and the arrangement of the collagen was different in the groups, which underwent BTX-A injection. Conclusions: It has been determined that BTX-A injection reduces wound and graft contraction, and also, it is effective on reducing the amount of sebaceous cells and hair follicles.