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Topical phenytoin in wound healing
A K Pendse1, A Sharma, A Sodani
1Department of Surgery, Ravindra Nath Tagore Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
International Journal of Dermatology
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Topical phenytoin significantly accelerated wound healing in chronic skin ulcers compared to saline dressings. Phenytoin treatment resulted in greater wound area reduction and higher healing rates, demonstrating its efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Wound Healing Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Phenytoin, an established antiseizure medication since 1937, has demonstrated potential in promoting wound healing as a topical agent.
- This study investigates the efficacy of topical phenytoin for treating chronic skin ulcers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of topical phenytoin in healing chronic skin ulcers.
- To compare phenytoin treatment with conventional saline dressings.
Main Methods:
- A controlled trial involving 75 inpatients with chronic skin ulcers.
- Patients were randomized into two groups: 40 treated with topical phenytoin and 35 with saline dressings.
- Wound assessments included area, bacteriologic cultures, and clinical evaluation over a 4-week period.
Main Results:
- Phenytoin group showed greater wound area reduction compared to controls.
- Bacteriologic cultures turned negative in 50% of phenytoin-treated wounds by day 7, versus 17% in controls.
- Complete healing was achieved in 29 of 40 phenytoin-treated ulcers (72.5%) versus 10 of 35 controls (28.6%).
Conclusions:
- Topical phenytoin is an effective therapeutic agent for wound healing.
- Its inexpensive nature and wide availability make it a practical treatment option.
- Further clinical evaluation of topical phenytoin for wound healing is warranted.