Preliminary experience with topical phenytoin in wound healing in a war zone

Abstract

Because of evidence that topical phenytoin (PHT) can promote wound healing, we undertook pilot clinical trials to evaluate its effectiveness in treating decubitus ulcers that resulted from war-related wounds at Basrah Teaching Hospital, Basrah, Iraq. Prompt pain relief, decreased wound exudate and bacterial contamination, enhanced granulation tissue formation, and more rapid healing characterized the PHT group. Fifteen PHT-treated decubitus ulcer patients healed in 1-3 weeks (one graft) versus 6-8 weeks (five grafts) in the control group. In addition, 20 patients with missile wounds were treated with PHT in an open trial. Further trials of PHT in war-related wounds are indicated.