Effects of Prostaglandin E1 and Supplemental Oxygen on the Wound Healing

Abstract

Background: When an avulsion wound is combined with a crushing injury or when a local flap is moved with significant tension, poor local blood supply may result in partial or complete necrosis of the involved tissue. This paper explores procedures to prevent tissue necrosis for the ischemic wounds.Methods: From March 2017 to December 2018, 29 hospitalized patients (group A) were treated with simple dressing change and administration of antibiotics. From January 2019 to October 2020, 29 hospitalized patients (group B) were injected for the first 3 days intravenously once a day with 50 μg of stabilized prostaglandin E1. Prostaglandin E1 injections were combined with supplemental oxygen (4 L/min through nasal cannula for 24 hours per day for the first 3 days). Wound dressing and antibiotics administration were also combined.Results: Ten patients in group A developed partial wound necrosis, out of which four patients received local flap surgery after excision of the necrotic tissue. The average recovery time was 9.7 days. In group B, four patients developed partial wound necrosis, out of which one was treated with local flap surgery. The average recovery for the four patients in group B took 6.2 days.Conclusion: Prostaglandin E1 and supplemental oxygen reduced the incidence of partial wound necrosis of ischemic wounds and local flap surgery after excision of the necrotic tissue, and also shortened the average recovery time.