OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the wound healing of the abdominal wall incision in hepatectomized rats as for the concentration of collagen, inflammatory reaction and angiogenesis. METHODS: We used 48 rats randomly assigned to laparotomy with or without hepatectomy. The scars were studied in the 3rd, 7th and 14th postoperative days. We analyzed the density of collagen by the histochemical method and angiogenesis, by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The analysis showed a lower total collagen concentration in skin and subcutaneous tissue in the abdominal scars of the experiment group (p3 = 0.011, p7 = 0.004 and p14 = 0.008). The density of collagen I was lower in the hepatectomy group, especially in the third day, in the skin, subcutaneous tissue (p = 0.038) and in the aponeurotic plane (p = 0.026). There was a lower concentration of collagen III in the two abdominal wall layers studied, although not statistically significant. The inflammatory response was similar at all times in both groups. It was found that angiogenesis was developed earlier in the control group (p3 = 0.005 and p7 = 0.012) and later in the experimental group (p14 = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Hepatectomy leads to a delay in the healing process, interfering with collagen synthesis and angiogenesis.
Liver; Regeneration; Hepatectomy; Wound healing
