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Extravasation is an adverse reaction that sometimes occurs upon intravenous administration of therapeutic drugs. The consequences of extravasation are distressing to both nurse and patient because they can include significant pain, irritant reactions and severe skin lesions. In Japan, cold or hot compresses are sometimes applied to such lesions, depending on the individual decision of the nurse in charge. Here we report the results of an experimental study that was performed to investigate the effect of compresses on the skin injury that occurs in cases of extravasation of intravenous medication, focusing especially on the numbers of neutrophils appearing at the site of acute inflammation.
METHODS
Male ICR mice aged 6 weeks were purchased from CRL, Japan. Mice were anesthetized deeply with sodium pentobarbital, then subcutaneously administered FESIN or CERCINE at 0.3 ml per site into the shaved dorsal skin. After subcutaneous injection, topical hot or cold compresses were applied to achieve skin temperatures of 20°C for cooling, and 40°C for heating for 30 minutes . At 24 hours after injection, light microscopic evaluation of skin histology was performed on sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Four specimens per mouse were prepared, and the number of neutrophils in six central visual fields for each specimen was counted using a light microscope.
RESULTS
FESIN: The average number of neutrophils was 13.85 per square millimeter in normal mice, 1506.18 per square millimeter in the control group, 1952.90 per square millimeter in the hot group, and 856.78 per square millimeter in the cold group. Significant differences were observed between the groups.
CERCINE: The average number of neutrophils was 946.52 per square millimeter in the control group, 1102.67 per square millimeter in the hot group, and 663.37 per square millimeter in the cold group. Significant differences were observed between the groups.