Topical Phenytoin Dressing: A Panacea in Wound Dehiscence Management Due to Implant Exposure after Orthopaedic Surgery: A Case Report

Non-healing and wound dehiscence are major healthcare problems in today’s orthopaedic surgery. The healing process consists of various sequential events including inflammatory response, regeneration of the epidermis, shrinkage of the wound, finally connective tissue formation and remodeling. Appropriate treatment and wound care promote the healing process, prevent infection and chronicity of the wound. Different methods and approaches have been used to achieve shorter wound healing times. Inspite of various efforts the outcomes of exixting methods are sub optimal. One of the agent that has been tried in wound healing in Orthopaedics is phenytoin. The phenytoin was introduced for the effective control of convulsive disorders in 1937. An adverse effect of phenytoin is the development gum hyperplasia. This adverse effect of phenytoin of causing apparent connective tissue hyperplasia suggested an exciting possibility for its use in wound healing due to implant exposure after orthopedic surgery. We report a case of panacea effect of topical phenytoin dressing in case of wound dehiscence and exposed implant after orthopaedic surgery.