INFLUENCE OF CONTACT ULTRASONIC WITH DIFFERENT POWER DENSITIES ON FULL-THICKNESS WOUNDS HEALING: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Effect of ultrasound power density on wound-healing process in rats was investigated. Forty five adult albino male albino rats were divided into 3 equal groups (15 rats in each group); one was used as a control group while the others were subjected to ultrasound treatment of power density of 0.5 W/cm2 and 1 W/cm2. All rats were anesthetized by inhalation (diethyl ether) and a 2 x 2.5 cm area wound was made on the dorsum. Rats in groups A and B were treated with pulsed therapeutic ultrasound for 10 min, 3 times a week at a frequency of 1 MHz and at a power density of 0.5 W/cm2 and 1 W/cm2, respectively, while rats in group C received sham ultrasound. Subsequently, the wound was captured by digital camera and was measured using transparent film, metric graph paper and flexible ruler 3 times a week until closure was complete. Significant reduction of the wound area, and linear dimensions in all three groups of rats was observed. After 14 days of treatment, wound area reduction as well as wound dimensions reduction were more pronounced in group A and to a lesser extent in group B in comparison to group C. Results indicated that ultrasound at 0.5 W/cm2 and 1 W/cm2 caused positive changes in the healing process with ultrasound at 0.5 W/cm2 being more effective.