Dehisced Surgical Wounds? Think Early Intervention with NATROX® O₂.

When surgical wounds dehisce due to underlying comorbidities or infection, consider early intervention with Continuous Topical Oxygen Therapy (cTOT) delivered by NATROX O₂ to support healing.
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A New Publication Concludes: cTOT is an Effective Treatment in the Management of Surgical Wound Dehiscence (SWD)

In cases of SWD, reversing wound hypoxia through Continuous Topical Oxygen Therapy (cTOT) can significantly support tissue repair and reduce the risk of infection and biofilm formation.¹ As such, cTOT represents a meaningful advancement in supporting healing when dehiscence risk factors are present.¹ Scroll through the case studies below to see how NATROX® O₂ has been used successfully in real-world surgical wound dehiscence healing scenarios.

Oxygen plays a vital role in wound healing

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  • promotes growth factor
    signalling transduction
  • collagen
    synthesis
  • cell proliferation &
    re-epithelialisation
  • angiogenesis and
    revascularisation
  • cell metabolism &
    energy production
  • antibacterial
    activities
Body outline covered in oxygen bubbles
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Antibacterial Activities

Oxygen is essential during neutrophil or macrophage respiratory burst, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are extremely important in microbial and debris clearance. 3

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Cell metabolism & energy production

Nearly all cellular processes use energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Low O2 x Glucose = 2 ATP
High O2 x Glucose = 36 ATP4

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Angiogenesis and Revascularisation

Rate and quality of blood vessels affected by oxygen levels, supplemental oxygen accelerates blood vessel growth.5

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Cell Proliferation &
Re-epithelialisation

Delivering low flow oxygen to a diabetic wound has been shown to increase the rate of wound closure, by as much as 69%. 6

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Collagen synthesis

Collagen acts as the structural scaffold of the skin. Higher oxygen concentrations have been found to increase both the amount of collagen production and its tensile strength. 7

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Promotes growth factor signalling transduction

Promotion of ROS essential for the signalling processes of growth factors and processes such as angiogenesis and extracellular matrix formation. 8 9

Supplementary oxygen can improve wound healing

Surgical wound dehiscence (SWD)—the separation of the margins of a closed surgical incision—typically occurs within 5 to 8 days postoperatively, secondary to infection, and can expose patients to serious complications and delayed healing.¹﹐²

Oxygen plays a vital role in the wound healing cascade, contributing to oxidative bacterial killing, cellular signaling, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis.¹

References:

  1. Kormylo E, Cole W, Wielgomas J. ePlasty. 2025; 25:e23.

  2. Sandy-Hodgetts K, Leung E, Andrews E, et al. Surgical wound dehiscence (SWD): International consensus statement on assessment, diagnosis and management. London: Wounds International; 2023

MEDICAL HISTORY: Diabetes, renal failure, peripheral vascular disease, HTN. AVR & CABG x 2, SSI 7 days post op

CASE: Sternotomy Dehiscence, bone exposed

PREVIOUS THERAPIES: Chemical debridement, topical desiccating agent, antibiotics, NPWT with instillation x 2 weeks, NPWT x 7 weeks

POSTER AUTHOR: Viviana Gonçalves, Tissue Viability Nurse

MEDICAL HISTORY: Grade 3 surgical wound dehiscence, smoker, sleep apnea, kidney disease

SURGERY: Excision of neoplasm plantar foot

POSTER AUTHORS: Edward Kormylo, DPM, Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP, Jacob Wielgomas, MSII

SWD on foot

MEDICAL HISTORY: Type 2 diabetes, DM. Prior by-pass failed on confirmation with duplex ultrasound. No further surgical or endovascular options available.

POSTER AUTHORS: Gail Curran, Catherine Fisher, Paul Hayes, Ian Loftus, Leanne Sequeira

MEDICAL HISTORY: Grade 4 surgical wound dehiscence, non-smoker, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, Type II DM, DPN

SURGERY: Tailor’s bunion correction

POSTER AUTHORS: Edward Kormylo, DPM, Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP, Jacob Wielgomas, MSII

SWD of Foot

Continuous Topical Oxygen Therapy (cTOT) was used as an adjunctive therapy to achieve full closure in 5 weeks for a Surgical Wound Dehiscence (SWD) that had failed to progress with standard care alone.

SEE POSTER
before & after of surgical wound dehiscence

NEW!

cTOT was effective in decreasing surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) complications in study patients without experiencing rehospitalization or additional surgical intervention.

Image for Resource Page Continuous Topical Oxygen Therapy for Lower Extremity Surgical Wound Dehiscence

When managing dehisced surgical wounds, NATROX® O₂ should be in your plan.

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