A novel topical oxygen treatment for chronic and difficult-to-heal wounds: case studies.
BACKGROUND
Pressure ulcers are one of the most prevalent causes of morbidity in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). For those requiring hospital-based management, conventional wound management may necessitate a prolonged institutional stay. This may subsequently increase the likelihood of comorbidities and increase the social, psychological, and financial burdens associated with wound management. Therefore, novel adjunct treatments that potentiate improved healing rates should be seriously considered.


METHODS
Case reports.


OBJECTIVE
To observe the efficacy of the EpiFLO device as an adjunct treatment modality in chronic wound management.


METHODS
An SCI unit at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.


METHODS
Three men with SCI, who each presented with a stage IV pressure ulcer in the pelvic region, were treated with the EpiFLO device as an adjunct therapy. In Case 1, the patient was monitored for 9 weeks, whereas in Cases 2 and 3, the patients were monitored for 5 weeks. Healing was determined on a weekly basis by wound dimensions and volume, which were compared before and after the intervention.


RESULTS
Comparison of pre- and posttreatment outcome measurements showed significant improvement with EpiFLO in each case.


CONCLUSIONS
EpiFLO seems to have had a positive effect on the healing rate of chronic pressure ulcers in individuals with SCI.
Banks
Patricia G
PG
Louis B. Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA. patricia.banks@va.gov
Ho
Chester H
CH
D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
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