In-vivo assessment of application of folinic acid and botulinum toxin A in cleft lip surgical defects.

[INTRODUCTION] Folinic acid and botulinum toxin A have shown promising results in wound healing in different studies. This study aimed to compare the effects of these approaches on wound healing after simulating cleft lip surgery in rats.

[METHODS] In this experimental animal study, after creating lip defects, 30 rats were randomly divided into three groups and received normal saline (CTL), botulinum toxin A (BOT), and folinic acid (FOL). Biopsy from the skin wounds was performed after 14- and 28-days. These samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining. Finally, each pathological parameter of wound healing was rated in this study.

[RESULTS] While the inflammatory response was not different among the study groups, fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition were significantly higher in FOL group compared to BOT group. Moreover, both BOT and FOL facilitated epithelial healing and 14-day angiogenesis as compared with normal saline.

[CONCLUSIONS] Improved wound healing was observed using both botulinum toxin A and folinic acid in rat animal models. However, the application of botulinum toxin A caused less fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition which can potentially lead to less scar formation, which can be particularly important in the aesthetic zone.