Topical use of phenytoin sodium powder in the healing of post-operative wounds

ABSTRACT

Efficacy of topical diphenylhydantoin sodium powder in enhancing wound healing and eradicating bacterial contamination was evaluated in 47 patients with different post- operative wounds. Phenytoin sodium powder was applied topically in a dose of 20 mg for each cm[2] daily for 7-14 days until healing process was achieved. Bacterial swabs were taken from wounds before and after application of the pure sterile powder. Culture results were compared with those taken from the control areas. A high significant reduction in wound healing time was achieved after the topical application of the powder to post-operative wounds [8.56 +/- 1.033 days] compared to the control wounds [12.9 +/- 1.635 days]. A direct correlation was found between wound size and healing time. Phenytoin sodium reduced post-operative wound infections to 8.9% compared to 80.9% for control wounds