Effect of hydrogen intervention on refractory wounds after radiotherapy: A case report

Figure 1 Clinical course, treatments, and outcomes of the case.

Figure 2 Outcomes of the patient after hydrogen inhalation therapy in the first 3 wk. A: Deep wound (red arrow) before hydrogen inhalation therapy, with the skin separated from the subcutaneous tissue; B: The wound grew shallower (red arrow), and the skin adhered better to the subcutaneous tissue; C: Wound edge migration was initiated (black arrow), and more blood vessels were visible in the wound bed; D: More migration around the wound edge (black arrow).

Figure 3 Healing process of the patient’s chronic wound in the 5 mo following hyperbaric oxygen therapy. A: On the first day after deep, sharp debridement (October 14, 2019), the wound was enlarged to 2.5 cm × 2.3 cm; B: One month later (November 14, 2019), rapid reepithelialization had occurred, and wound edge migration was observed; C: The wound closed further (December 5, 2019), and a small amount of exudate was secreted around the wound edge; D: A scab formed on top of the wound bed (January 9, 2020); E: Tissue beneath the wound was further remodeled and repaired, with a scab covering the wound bed (February 2, 2020); F: The scab fell off and the wound was healed.

Figure 4 The patient’s facial appearance at the 1-yr follow-up after surgery.