Topical oxygen and burn wound healing: a review

Theodur Kaufman, J. Wesley Alexander and Bruce G. MacMillan

Shriners Burns Institute - Cincinnati Unit - Ohio

Abstract
Oxygen is essential for the epithelialization and contraction of the burn wound as -well as for the collagen maturation and synthesis. Inspiration of pure oxygen or employing hyperbaric oxygen might delay wound healing due to an intensive vasoconstriction. The accumulated data suggest a beneficial effect of topical oxygen on the wound healing process of burns.