Effectiveness of ozone therapy in the healing of infected surgical wounds: case-control study

Abstract

Introduction: ozone therapy improves human health, contributes to tissue repair, has antimicrobial action, and is an alternative that helps promote proper healing of surgical wounds. Despite numerous studies on wound healing and infection in surgical wounds, the results on the use of ozone therapy in these entities are still considered insufficient.

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of ozone use in speeding up the healing of infected surgical wounds.

Method: a prospective, analytical, observational, case-control study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of ozone use in speeding up the healing of infected surgical wounds. The sample consisted of 52 patients (n = 52), treated in the ozone therapy clinics of the Hospital Provincial Universitario “Celia Sánchez Manduley” in Granma from January 1 to June 30, 2023.

Results: high blood pressure was the most frequent comorbid disease, present in 44.23% of patients, while acute appendicitis was the most frequent operative diagnosis, with 30.77%. The most performed surgical procedures were appendectomy and herniorrhaphy, both with a prevalence of 30.77%. Superficial infection was more prevalent in both groups, accounting for 65.39% of total infections. The healing rate in the case group was higher in both patients with superficial and deep infections.

Conclusions: ozone therapy is a useful adjuvant for the healing of infected surgical wounds.