Perioperative polyphenon E, a green tea extract, does not affect the wound complication rate in mice after sham laparotomy yet has an inhibitory effect on wound healing.

Introduction: Major surgery is associated with physiologic alterations that may promote tumor growth, and catechins in green tea may inhibit tumor growth. This study's aim was to assess the impact of a green tea extract on laparotomy wound healing in mice.

Methods: Mice were randomized to daily oral catechins solution (n = 25) or placebo (n = 20), underwent sham laparotomy after 10 days, and were sacrificed on postoperative day 7 or 21. The peak force and total energy required to rupture the abdominal wall wound, wound collagen content, and histology were assessed.

Results: There were no wound complications in either group, and mean peak wound rupture forces and collagen concentration were similar. Mean energy was lower and more fibroblast proliferation was found in the treatment group on postoperative day 21.

Conclusions: These results suggest that catechins has only mild clinically significant adverse effect on wound healing, and its perioperative use warrants further study.