Diclofenac and indomethacin influence the healing of normal and ischaemic incisional wounds in skin.

The influence of diclofenac and indomethacin on the healing of normal (non-ischaemic) incisional wounds, and of ischaemic incisional wounds using a flap model, was studied in 192 rats. Both drugs improved the strength of normal wounds as the energies at maximum load and stress increased by 23% - 33% after 10 days. After 20 days the treated normal wounds were stiffer. In ischaemic wounds neither drug influenced the biomechanical properties after 10 days, which reflects the healing of the deep dermis, but both countered the ischaemia of the superficial skin as the necroses on the skin flaps decreased. After 20 days the drugs decreased some of the strength parameters of ischaemic wounds, indomethacin in particular, which decreased these parameters by about 20% - 35%. In conclusion, in certain doses the drugs improved the healing of normal wounds. The healing of ischaemic wounds was unaffected after 10 days but decreased after 20 days. The drugs may, however, be used for reducing superficial necroses of skin flaps.