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 1α 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.

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