Effect of Acidic Environment Using Acetic Acid lontophoresis on Healing of Chronic Wounds.

We conducted this study to investigate the therapeutic effect of acidic wound environment (AWE) using iontophoresis on healing of chronic wounds. sixty patients who suffered from chronic wounds with their ages ranged from 40-60 years were randomly selected and divided into three equal groups which of them composed of 20 patients. Group (A): managed by acetic acid iontophoresis (AAI), for six weeks three sessions/week in addition to medical care, while group (B): received topical acetic acid (AAT) through dressings 3 times/week for six weeks in addition to medical care. Patients in Group (C), received only medical care. All patients were assessed for pH values and wound surface areas before the beginning of study, after 3 weeks and after 6 weeks of treatment. Results: there is a statistically significant improvement in wound surface areas in group A and B which were managed by acetic acid whether by iontophoresis or topically respectively when compared to group C and there is no significant difference between group A and group B. Conclusion: it is concluded that modulation of wounds environment pH using acetic acid (AA) whether through iontophoresis or topically is an effective approach in healing of chronic wounds when compared to traditional medical treatment, but there is no significant difference between application of AA through iontophoresis or topically.