The Microclimate Chamber: The Effect of Continuous Topical Administration of 96% Oxygen and 75% Relative Humidity on the Healing Rate of Experimental Deep Burns

THEODOR KAUFMAN, M.D., J. WESLEY ALEXANDER, M.D., Sc.D., PAUL NATHAN, PH.D., KIM A. BRACKETT, PH.D., AND BRUCE G. MACMILLAN, M.D.

Journal of Trauma - Volume 23, Issue 9, September 1983

Abstract
The healing rate of small experimental burns continuously treated topically with 96% O₂ and 75% relative humidity was followed for 25 days. Serial image photographic magnifications (tenfold throughout) of the wounds enabled precise measurements of their size by means of a polar planimeter. Healing rate was expressed as decreased percentile of wound size on a given day compared to the initial area. The mean percentages of healing ± SEM of the humidified O₂, treated wounds on postburn days 6, 11, and 16 were 31.25 ± 6.15, 82.09 ± 3.52, and 98.39 ± 1.46, respectively. and those for the control wounds were 7.08 ± 2.20, 47.68 ± 3.39. and 84.41 ± 1. 38, respectively. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences in the healing rate between O₂-humidity-treated and control wounds (p<0.0051). The results indicate that topical treatment with 96% O₂, and 75% relative humidity improved healing of experimental burns in guinea pigs.