Objective: To investigate the effect of local application of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and sucralfate on the skin tissue structure after expansion.
Methods: Continuous tissue expansion (CTE) experimental animal model was made with constant pressure pump in nine white pigs. The bFGF and sucralfate were perfused between tissue and tissue expander. Both bFGF and sucralfate were injected in group I, both bFGF and normal saline in group II, only sucralfate in group III, and normal saline in group IV as control group. The samples were took from each pig for histomorphological assessment on the 3rd day and 6th week after expansion.
Results: Compared with control group, epidermal, granular spinous and basal cell thickness increased significantly (P < 0.05) in group I; in dermal layer, dermal thickened slightly and the collagen fibers became thicker and orderly; the elastic fiber regenerated significantly; the density of fibroblasts and capillaries significantly increased (P < 0.05) in group I. The collagen fibers were broken on the 3rd day and 6th week after expansion in control group. However, the thickness of the fibrous capsule layer was similar in each group.
Conclusion: Local application of exogenous bFGF and sucralfate combined with CTE can greatly promote the skin growth. It can accelerate the tissue expansion.