Open AccessOxygen tension assessment: an overlooked tool for prediction of delayed healing in a clinical setting
Author(s) -
Ogrin Rajna,
Woodward Michael,
Sussman Geoff,
Khalil Zeinab
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international wound journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1742-481X
pISSN - 1742-4801
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-481x.2011.00784.x
Subject(s) - medicine , wound healing , surgery , oxygen tension , clinical practice , anesthesia , oxygen , physical therapy , chemistry , organic chemistry
Successful wound healing requires adequate transcutaneous oxygen tension (tc p O 2 ). Tc p O 2 may not commonly be incorporated in clinical assessments because of variable measurement response at different sensory temperatures. This study aims to assess the relationship between changes in tc p O 2 , measured under basal (39°C) and stimulated (44°C) conditions and healing rate of chronic wounds over 4 weeks, to determine whether tc p O 2 measurement can predict delayed wound healing. Tc p O 2 (Radiometer TCM400) measurements at sensor temperatures 39 and 44°C were recorded (twice, 4 weeks apart) adjacent to the ulcer site, and at a mirror image site on the contralateral leg. Ulcer outline was traced on clear acetate and perimeter and area measured (Visitrak™, Smith and Nephew). Tc p O 2 measured at 44 and 39°C adjacent to all 13 wounds were lower compared to the contralateral site, significant at 44°C ( P = 0·008). Significant correlation ( r 2 = 0·8) occurred between wound healing rate and increased tc p O 2 at 44°C over 4 weeks. Importantly, the ratio of 39/44°C tc p O 2 , measured at the initial appointment, appeared to predict normal or delayed healing rate. Tc p O 2 may provide clinicians with information regarding anticipated healing ability of wounds at the initial appointment, and hence identify wounds requiring early implementation of adjuvant therapies to accelerate healing.