Effect of Microdacyn on fracture healing on Sprague Dawley rats using histomorphometric study

Background: Open fractures are difficult to treat once a component of infection has become part of the picture, wherein debridement and antibiotics have been the standard of care for eradication of the microorganisms. There are various antiseptic solutions available but several studies have showed their pernicious effects on host cells, such as their detrimental result to bone tissue, which may ultimately impair bone healing. Irrigation with these solutions during debridement, therefore, may be more consequential than advantageous. To date, Microdacyn; which is a super-oxidized solution containing sodium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, and hypochlorous acid; has been proven as a safe and effective antiseptic used to irrigate wounds and biofilms, but no in vivo study has elucidated its role in fracture healing. There is a need to prove its viability for a possible role for irrigation in open fractures without compromising fracture healing. The aim of the study is to assess the outcome of Microdacyn on fracture healing in a rat model. In doing so, its use as an irrigant can be elucidated, as a solution which can be used for fracture surgery.

Methods: Thirty-five male Sprague Dawley rats’ midshaft femur were histomorphometrically analyzed and compared in the percentage amount of osseous, cartilaginous, and fibrous tissues in the callus formation. The osteotomized femurs were subjected to 0.9% Plain normal saline solution (PNSS) (control group), 1% povidone iodine, and Microdacyn; then subsequently fixed with an intramedullary Kirschner wire. The rats were then euthanized at weeks 1, 2, and 5, and the calluses were analyzed histologically after harvesting the femur.

Results: The Microdacyn group showed a significantly higher percentage of osseous tissue (81.09%) compared to the 1% povidone iodine group (68.56%) at 5-weeks post-surgery (P = 0.028). As for percentage of fibrous tissue, Microdacyn has a significantly lower percentage (16.52%), followed by PNSS (21.26%), with the highest being in the 1% povidone iodine group (28.03%) (P = 0.012 for Microdacyn and P = <0.001 for 1% povidone iodine, with PNSS). No statistical differences were noted between the different interventions at 1-week and 2-weeks post-surgery.

Conclusion: Microdacyn has a large potential to be used as an irrigant during fracture surgery due to its positive effect in the late stages of fracture healing.