Supplementary oxygen and wound healing

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Wounds International, 2019

Author: Sonia Silvestrini

Citation: Silvestrini, S., 2019. Supplementary oxygen and wound healing. Wounds International, 10(4), 50-56.

Keywords: Chronic/complex wounds, compliance, concordance, pain relief, patient lifestyle, wound assessment

Key points:

  • The author, Sonia Silvestrini, is a clinical nurse specialist in Rome who runs multiple clinics dealing with chronic wounds.
  • Sonia has used NATROX® O₂ on multiple patients with positive results.
  • The cases within this article have been presented previously in poster format; however, the article offers greater detail.

Case 1:

  • Fig. 2: patient started on NPWT. However, due to the pain, the patient couldn’t tolerate it.
  • Fig. 3: just before switching over to NATROX® O₂.
  • Fig. 4: wound increased in size, as expected. The wound bed now has signs of healthy granulation tissue starting to cover the tendon.
  • Fig. 5: final bit of necrotic tissue has gone. Wound is much shallower and the tendon is nearly completely covered with tissue.
  • The biggest improvement for the patient is pain reduction. Initially on morphine but within 48 hours was completely pain-free.

Case 2:

  • Fig. 6: Began NATROX® O₂ to help 1 large ulcer and a small satellite ulcer underneath. Both were very red and inflamed.
  • Fig 7: Ulcers joined and are slightly larger, though much shallower.
  • Fig. 8: Significant reduction in wound size and more or less no scaring.
  • Fig. 9: Almost completely healed.
  • Wound was present for 130 weeks; almost healed in under 10 weeks.
  • Pain relief was a huge benefit for the patient, but perhaps more importantly he could work and resume normal daily activities.