Abstract :
Chronic ulcers and non-healing wounds present a significant public health and economic burden, particularly in aging populations. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical phenytoin in enhancing wound healing, focusing on its effects on fibroblast proliferation, neovascularization, and overall wound repair. A case study was conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery at a tertiary care center in South India involving a 69-year-old male patient with a non-healing diabetic foot ulcer complicated by Charcot's joint. Regenerative therapy utilized a 5 mg/ml diluted phenytoin solution for wound irrigation, followed by the application of a two-layered collagen scaffold, sterile dressing, and immobilization. Topical application of phenytoin demonstrated a marked improvement in wound healing. Observed outcomes included enhanced granulation tissue formation, reduced inflammation, and improved epithelialization. This study highlights the potential of phenytoin as an accessible, cost-effective, and safe therapeutic agent for chronic wound management. By promoting fibroblast proliferation, inhibiting collagenase activity, and enhancing neovascularization, phenytoin significantly improves wound healing. These findings support the integration of phenytoin in clinical practice for non-healing ulcers, with a recommendation for larger-scale studies to validate its broader applicability.
Keyword :
Phenytoin, Wound management, Diabetic ulcers