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DOI: DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21088/nijs.0976.4747.9318.26

Abstract

Background: Thermal burn injuries are relatively common in developing countries which produce more physical and psychological damage. By promoting early healing these complications can be minimised. Phenytoin is one of the easily available drug that promote early wound healing.

Objective: To assess the effect of healing of topical phenytoin in burn wounds caused by 2nd and 3rd degree burns.

Method: It is a prospective study done in tertiary burn centre from the period of December 2015 to November 2016. Total 9 patients (3 males, 6 females) were included in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients were treated with topical application of intravenous phenytoin solution once 3 days. The data collected include demographic details, tissue culture, wound discharge, severity of pain, appearance of granulation tissue, wound contraction.

Results: Majority of burn wound caused by self-inflicted. At the time of starting of phenytoin therapy majority of wounds were colonised with pathogenic bacteria which were not affecting the phenytoin induced wound healing. Wound discharge got significantly reduced after 3 -5 sittings of phenytoin therapy. Severity of pain got significantly reduced as per patient’s self-assessment of pain. All wounds showed progressive wound contraction as documented and assessed by digital planimetry.

Conclusion: In our study topical application of phenytoin caused progressive wound contracture, re-epithelialisation, reduce in discharge and pain, leads to early wound healing. Bacteriostatic effect also noted in few cases, further controlled trials is required to validate the same.

Keywords: Phenytoin; Burns.

Corresponding Author : Ravi Kumar Chittoria, Professor and Head, Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry 605006, India.