Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to determine the safety and macroscopic/microscopic effects of fluorescence
biomodulation (FBM) on experimentally induced, full-thickness, distal limb wounds
in horses.
Study Design
This was an in vivo experimental study (n = 6 horses). Two full-thickness wounds were created on both dorsal metacarpi of six
adult horses. Each forelimb was randomly allocated to either control (no FBM) or treatment
(FBM) and randomly allocated to visual or histological assessment of healing. Wounds
were treated within each experimental group every 7 days for four treatments. Fluorescence
biomodulation wounds were treated twice per treatment period. Control wounds had no
FBM treatment. Wounds were visually assessed for granulation tissue grading and photographed
for wound surface area calculation, on days 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. The skin from wound
creation on day 0 was used for histology baseline. The wounds were then punch-biopsied
on days 10, 17, 24 and 31. Data were analysed using linear mixed model analyses.
Results
Differences between control and treatment were not observed for any time point for
wound surface area (p = 0.755), composite wound scores (p = 0.593), or histological assessment (p = 0.378). One horse produced exuberant granulation tissue in all wounds requiring
debridement at study completion.
Conclusion
Fluorescence biomodulation did not improve nor impair healing in an equine experimental
in vivo distal limb wound model. Treatment effects may not have been observed due to small
sample size, outcome variables measured or species differences. Further studies are
needed.
Keywords
equine - wound healing - fluorescence biomodulation
