title: Transdermal sustained-delivery oxygen improves epithelial healing in a rabbit ear wound model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Transdermal sustained-delivery oxygen therapy improves wound healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study using a well-established rabbit ear model for acute wound healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wound-healing research laboratory in a university center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four full-thickness 7-mm punch wounds were created on each ear of young, female New Zealand white rabbits. Treated ears received transdermal sustained delivery of oxygen via silicone tubing tunneled subcutaneously to a pocket under a semiocclusive dressing. Oxygen production (100% oxygen at 3 mL/h continuously) relied on a small, self-contained device connected to the silicone tubing and secured to the rabbit's back for the duration of the experiment using a body harness. Ears were harvested at each of 2 time points: day 5 and day 8.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histologic analysis of the wounds showed significantly greater healing at both day 5 and day 8 in response to oxygen therapy. Most significantly, epithelial wound coverage was almost doubled in treated ear wounds when compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that epithelial wound healing is improved by transdermal sustained-delivery treatment with 100% oxygen.
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing Research Lab, Division of Plastic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 675 North St. Clair, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Hakim K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Said
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hijjawi
authors.forename: Nakshatra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mogford
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mustoe
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D004423:Ear / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D023421:Models, Animal; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D010100:Oxygen