Oxygen Tension in the Clinical Situation

Skin Occlusion: Treatment or Drug-Like Device?

“…This contrasts with previous findings [4,5]. Moreover, oc clusion itself significantly increases collagen synthesis in treated wounds when compared to air-exposed wounds.…”

“…This effect is presumably due to increased cell migration across the wound surface [2,3] or to the abil ity of the dressing to keep the wound's sur face moist and to prevent wound bed desic cation. Other studies related the increased rate of re-epithelialization to the ability of occlusion to increase the concentration of oxygen in the wound bed [4,5], Linsky et al [6] reported a decreased number of inflam matory cells and reduced fibroblast migra tion suggesting a decreased inflammatory re sponse in occlusive film-treated domestic pig incisions. The role of collagen formation un der occlusion has not been resolved.…”

“…The role of oxygen in increasing collagen synthesis and wound healing is controversial. Rapid reepithelialization is reported when pOi is raised and when wounds are treated with oxygen-permeable dressings [4,5]; however, reduced pC>2 promotes in vivo growth of fibroblasts and production of angiogenesis factors from tissue macrophages [9,10]; fur thermore, in vitro studies showed that cell growth is inhibited at oxygen tensions ex ceeding that of ambient air [11] and that the oxygen tension required for optimal growth of fibroblast is low, ranging from 5 to 10 mm Hg [12]. These data support the view that low rather than high oxygen tensions in crease the healing process.…”

Wound Healing: A Review: II. Environmental Factors Affecting Wound Healing

“…Reports by a number of investigators have shown that healing of various types of wounds is enhanced by increased local oxygen tension, and that a reduction in available oxygen inhibits repair 22–25. In a study of the healing of open wounds in domestic pigs, Winter3 found that wounds covered with oxygen‐permeable polyethylene film epithelized more rapidly than did those covered with an oxygen‐impermeable polyester membrane.…”