Topical oxygen emulsion: a novel wound therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use of a topical oxygen emulsion (TOE), consisting of a supersaturated oxygen suspension using perfluorocarbon components, on second-degree burns and partial-thickness wounds.


METHODS
Oxygen is a required substance for various aspects of wound repair, and increased oxygen tension in a wound has been shown to stimulate phagocytosis and to reduce the incidence of wound infection. Second-degree burns and partial-thickness wounds were created on the backs of specific pathogen-free pigs. Wounds were then randomly assigned to 1 of the following treatment groups: TOE, TOE vehicle, or air-exposed control.


METHODS
Wounds were assessed for complete epithelialization using a salt-split technique.


RESULTS
The TOE was able to significantly (P = .001) enhance the rate of epithelialization compared with both vehicle and untreated control. These data suggest that topical oxygen may be beneficial for acute and burn wounds.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained from this double-blind, control, in vivo study demonstrate that TOE can significantly enhance the rate of epithelialization of partial-thickness excisional wounds and second-degree burns. These findings could have considerable clinical implications for patients with surgical and burn wounds by providing functional skin at an earlier date to act as a barrier against environmental factors, such as bacteria invasion. Other types of wounds may also benefit from this therapy (eg, chronic wounds and surgical incisions). Additional studies, including clinical studies, are warranted.
Davis
Stephen C
SC
Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1600 NW 10th Ave, Room 2089, Miami, FL 33136, USA. SDavis@med.miami.edu
Cazzaniga
Alejandro L
AL
Ricotti
Carlos
C
Zalesky
Paul
P
Hsu
Li-Chien
LC
Creech
Jeffrey
J
Eaglstein
William H
WH
Mertz
Patricia M
PM
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004655:Emulsions; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D004655:Emulsions; D010100:Oxygen