Validation of a porcine comb burn model

Objective: A brass comb burn model that creates 3 full-thickness burns separated by 3 interspaces of unburned skin representing the zone of ischemia has been described in rats. We evaluated this model in pigs. Methods: Design-observational. Subjects-6 pigs (20-25 kg). Interventions-4 burns created on each animal on the dorsum using a brass comb with 4 rectangular prongs preheated in boiling water and applied for 30 seconds resulting in 4 rectangular 10 × 20-mm full-thickness burns separated by three 5 × 20-mm unburned interspaces. Outcomes-wounds observed at 1, 2, 3, and 7 days for evidence of necrosis in unburned interspaces. Full-thickness biopsies from interspaces were evaluated with hematoxylin-eosin staining 7 days after injury for evidence of necrosis. Data analysis-the percentages of interspaces progressing to necrosis were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: Twenty-four comb burns with 72 unburned interspaces were created evenly distributed between the animals. The percentages of interspaces that progressed to full-thickness necrosis at 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after injury were 88.9% (64/72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 79.6%-94.3%), 88.9% (64/72; 95% CI, 79.6%-94.3%), 88.9% (64/72; 95% CI, 79.6%-94.3%), and 97.7% (70/72; 95% CI, 90.4%-99.2%), respectively. There was perfect agreement between gross inspection and histomorphology. Conclusions: The comb burn model in swine results in the progression of most unburned ischemic interspaces to full-thickness necrosis within 1 to 7 days.