Sildenafil Therapy in Patients With Digital Burns and Raynaud's Syndrome

The Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is characterized by an exaggerated vascular response to cold temperature or emotional stress causing temporary ischemia. It is more prevalent in the digits of the hands and feet, and when occurring in conjunction with a rheumatological condition, it is also termed Raynaud's syndrome, or secondary RP. Healing following a burn requires appropriate tissue perfusion to promote primary restoration of the skin, prevent further burn progression, and to promote skin graft take in wounds requiring autologous split skin grafting. The addition of vascular compromise caused by RP to a burn wound is therefore hypothesized to impair burn wound healing and worsen burn wound progression. The authors describe a 51-year-old female with digital burns on a background of scleroderma and Raynaud's syndrome successfully treated with oral sildenafil therapy and autologous split skin grafting. The case report further highlights the potential role for sildenafil therapy in wound healing and patients requiring autologous skin grafting or local skin flaps. In future cases, we plan to involve rheumatology services early in the course of the injury aiming to improve outcomes.