RESUMO
Chronic wounds represent a major health burden contributing to substantial mortality, morbidity and costs. Several new treatment options are currently available, which has revolutionised the management of chronic wounds. The present study is a single centre, prospective, clinical trial comparing oxum (super oxidised water) and betadine as a topical treatment of chronic wounds conducted in 30 Indian patients, with 15 patients in each group. At the end of the study, there was a significant reduction in primary parameters such as wound area and microbial colony count in oxum treated group compared to betadine group. However, both the oxum and betadine treated group showed a similar results when the secondary parameters such as oedema, erythema and granulation tissue were considered. Oxum was better tolerated than betadine. It can be concluded that use of oxum (super oxidised water) is a novel technological innovation in the therapy of chronic wounds. Oxum has been shown to be effective, well tolerated and superior to betadine in wound care.