The role of oxygen in wound healing: A review of the literature

BACKGROUND The presence of oxygen is necessary for normal wound healing. Oxygen has been given as a therapeutic modality to assist and speed wound healing. OBJECTIVE The objective was to summarize the role of oxygen in wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature review of clinical and basic science studies regarding oxygen and wound healing was conducted. RESULTS Hypoxia appears to jump start wound healing via hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and reepithelialization. Nonetheless, oxygen is often required to start or sustain other wound healing processes. CONCLUSION Both the absence and the presence of oxygen have effects on wound healing; however, its role is not completely understood. Although hyperbaric oxygen and topical oxygen therapy have been described in aiding wound healing, case-controlled prospective studies are lacking and evidence for their efficacy is inconsistent.