Healing Features of Experimental Injuries of Soft Tissues That Contain Foreign Bodies In The Form of Fragments Of Military Personnel Uniforms

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p><jats:bold>Background</jats:bold> The healing of combat wounds can be complicated by the presence of foreign bodies (FBs) in the form of fragments of military uniforms in the wound canal. During the experiment, the structural features of the regeneration of soft tissue injuries complicated by FBs in the form of fragments of two types of military uniforms were studied. Changes in the content of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during wound healing were studied.<jats:bold>Methods</jats:bold> By randomization, 60 rats were divided into 4 groups: intact (Int), control (Con) and two experimental (EG1, EG2). A layered incision of the thigh soft tissues was performed on the animals. In Con, wounds were sutured without implantation of FBs. A camouflage uniform consisting of 100% cotton was used as FBs for EG1, a uniform consisting of 65% cotton and 35% polyester was used for EG2. The size of the implanted fragments was 0.5 × 0.5 cm. The removal of laboratory animals from the experiment was carried out in 6 of each group on the 15th, 30th, 60th day. Histological studies of soft tissue samples were performed according to generally accepted methods. The growth factors content in serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with the usage of bFGF (Elabscience) and VEGF (Vector-Best) kits. <jats:bold>Results </jats:bold>In EG1, the inflammatory reaction proceeded intensively and protractedly, which complicated the development and maturation of granulation tissue (GT). In EG2, considering the moderate inflammatory reactions, healing of the wound defect and optimal encapsulation of FB became possible. The increase of the growth factors content in the blood of Con group animals was maximal for a period of 15 days: bFGF – 2.2 times, VEGF – 1.6 times (p &lt;0.001 compared to Int). In groups of animals with textile implants, the bFGF content was maximal on the 60th day and exceeded the normal values by 1.7 times in EG1and by 2.6 times in EG2 (p &lt;0.001 compared to Int). The level of VEGF in EG1 and EG2 at all stages was slightly higher than in healthy animals.<jats:bold>Conclusion </jats:bold>At all stages of the experiment, the repair of damaged tissue in rats was complicated by the presence of the textile foreign body (TFB). This confirms the need for thorough debridement of combat wounds during primary surgical treatment. The increase in bFGF production contributed to the development and maturation of GT in the injury area and optimal encapsulation of FBs. The level of VEGF in the experimental groups was increased relative to normal values, which reflected the chronicity of the injuries regeneration process.</jats:p>

The influence of foreign textile bodies from military clothes on the healing process of experimental injuries of soft tissues

“…A more pronounced inflammatory reaction was characterized by a group of animals with implanted tissue fibers consisting of 100% cotton. According to a semiquantitative analysis published in our previous work, 20 the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in this group was 1.6 times higher at a period of 15 days, 3.1 times after 1 month, and 9.6 times after 2 months compared with the control group ( P < .05). The dynamics of changes in the number of fibroblasts, vessels, and collagen reflected a slowdown in the growth and maturation of granulation tissue in the experimental groups, especially in group 1.…”

“…In the group with implanted tissue fibers consisting of 65% cotton and 35% polyester, the inflammatory reactions were less pronounced, probably due to the biological inertness of these textile fibers. The number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in this group was 1.6 times higher at 15 days, 2.7 times after 1 month, 5 times after 2 months, compared with the control group ( P < .05) 20 . By the end of the experiment, the implants were isolated from the surrounding tissues and “immobilized” by dense connective tissue membranes and layers in the capsule.…”

“…The number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in this group was 1.6 times higher at 15 days, 2.7 times after 1 month, 5 times after 2 months, compared with the control group (P < .05). 20 By the end of the experiment, the implants were isolated from the surrounding tissues and "immobilized" by dense connective tissue membranes and layers in the capsule. This minimized the trauma of the muscles during movement and contact with the internal environment of the body, which reduced the possibility of reactivating the processes of inflammation.…”