The Effectiveness of Pentoxifylline 10% Topical Gel on the Pressure Ulcer Healing: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
Atefeh Alsadat Tayyebi, Rasool Soltani, Morteza Pourahmad et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled clinical trial assessed topical pentoxifylline (PTX) 10% gel for stage 2 or 3 pressure ulcers. Seventy patients were randomly assigned to daily PTX gel plus common wound care or a novel dressing plus common wound care for two weeks. Wound size decreased significantly more in the PTX group at both one and two weeks (P < 0.05). Complete healing occurred in 16 patients (45.71%) with PTX and 9 (25.71%) in the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.081).
Key findings
- Wound size decreased significantly more with PTX gel than control at both the first and second weeks (P < 0.05).
- Complete healing was observed in 16 PTX-group patients (45.71%) versus 9 control patients (25.71%); the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.081).
Why it matters
Pressure-ulcer healing can be difficult, and this trial suggests topical PTX may improve short-term wound-size reduction when added to common wound care. The complete-healing result was numerically higher but did not reach statistical significance, so the findings support further evaluation rather than establishing a definitive healing benefit.
What to keep in mind
Treatment and follow-up lasted only two weeks, limiting assessment of longer-term healing. The difference in complete healing was not statistically significant.