The effect of locally administered phenytoin on wound healing in an experimental nasal septal perforation animal model

Abstract

Purpose In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of phenytoin (PHT) on wound healing in an experimental nasal septal perforation (NSP) model created in rats. Methods Twenty-two Sprague Dawley male rats were randomized into two groups. NSP, approximately 2 mm in diameter, was created in each subject. The 1% PHT cream (Study group) and saline (Control group) were applied topically once a day for 14 days. The subjects were sacrificed at the end of 14th day and the nasal septum of each animal was excised for histopathological examination. The epithelial regeneration and degeneration of the nasal mucosa, acute inflammatory cells number, fibroblast number, collagen density, vascularization, eosinophil number, granulation tissue formation, giant cell number, degeneration and regeneration of the nasal cartilage were examined. The macroscopic closure rate of NPSs and histopathological parameters were analyzed statistically. Results In this study, the epithelial regeneration, the fibroblast count, the collagen density, the vascularization and the amount of granulation tissue and the macroscopic clouse rate of NSPs were significantly higher in the PHT group than in the saline group (p .05). Conclusion The locally administered phenytoin may accelerate wound healing of nasal septum in an experimental NSP model. Consequently, phenytoin might be used as an effective substance to prevent the formation of NSP.