COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Oxygen can do more than just breathe life into our lungs, according to a new journal report. It also has a role to play in helping heal wounds.
Based on prior studies, doctors know oxygen plays an important role in helping the body heal after injury. In fact, studies have shown treatment in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber can help wound healing. Hyperbaric therapy, however, is expensive, and questions of whether or not it causes oxygen toxicity have been raised. These researchers speculated a topical application of pure oxygen might be easier to administer and have fewer unwanted side effects.
Their study tested the use of topical oxygen on 58 wounds in 32 patients who were followed up between one to eight months after treatment ended. Oxygen was locally administered to the wound site through a gas-impermeable chamber applied around the affected wound. Patients were treated for 90-minute periods on four consecutive days, followed by three days of rest. Then the cycle was repeated as long as the wound appeared to be healing or until surgery was performed to repair the site.
Researchers saw no complications, and 38 of the wounds healed while receiving the topical oxygen treatment. Another four healed after undergoing surgery to repair the wound. Eleven others did not heal, and three patients died during the study. Researchers were unable to follow up with two patients.
The investigators believe this large case report indicates a role for topical oxygen in the treatment of chronic or acute hard-to-heal wounds. They write, "The advantages of topical oxygen include the ability for the patients to receive treatment in their own homes and minimal risks associated with use of the device."
Source: Ivanhoe Newswire: Pathophysiology, 2003;9:81-87.
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