Using a Topical Oxygen Delivery System over Tissue Based Therapy to Accelerate Wound Healing

Introduction: The lack of oxygen availability in the wound bed has been implicated as one of the culprits behind the chronicity of many wounds. Much work is being done to address the need for adjunctive oxygen therapies in a group of patients starting from hyperbaric oxygen to topical oxygen therapy. We looked at the effects of a novel topical oxygen delivery system (TODS) on wounds being treated with tissue based therapy for wound healing.

Methods: 3 patients that required tissue based therapy to help heal their lower extremity wounds had a TODS placed on their wounds in clinic 1 week after placement of the tissue based therapy. Patient was instructed on the care of device, and to return weekly for wound evaluation and changing of the TODS dressing. Data on wound size, exudate, signs of infection, and pain were collected weekly for 4 weeks.

Results: TODS was noted to be safe to use on tissue based therapy on chronic wounds. It showed continued reduction in wound size. The average time to healing was then compared to data from a large retrospective database listing time to closure.

Discussion: Portable active oxygen therapy can be very beneficial for patients who require increased partial pressure of oxygen at the wound bed. This is an initial attempt to incorporate the use of a novel TODS in the healing of difficult to heal wounds that require the application of tissue based therapy.