The Effects of Intradermal and Topical Mitomycin C on Wound Healing

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of intradermal and topical mitomycin C (MMC) on skin wound healing. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING A prospective, controlled study in a rat wound model performed in an academic medical center. RESULTS Intradermal and topical MMC application decreased wound integrity when compared with saline‐treated animals at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 6 months. Skin necrosis occurred in animals that received intradermal MMC. Hemotoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining showed no consistent difference between treatment arms. Fibrosis and collagen deposition were reduced in MMC‐treated wounds on trichrome staining. CONCLUSIONS MMC‐treated wounds showed decreased wound strength compared with controls. Intradermal MMC can cause skin necrosis. Histologic findings did not always correspond with clinical data. SIGNIFICANCE The data suggest cautious use of MMC in clinical situations when wound breaking strength is critical.