The Effect of Transcutaneous Application of Gaseous CO2 on Diabetic Chronic Wound Healing

Transcutaneous application of gaseous CO2 showed to be a successful adjuvant therapy in treatment of chronic wounds in diabetic patients (PMID: 32633896). In this intervention technique, therapeutic concentrations of medical-grade CO2 are applied to the skin's surface in a safe, non-invasive manner. The main therapeutic mechanism is derived from the human body's natural response to locally increased CO2 concentration. Because vasodilatory capacity is impaired in diabetic foot, these mechanisms enhance local microvascular perfusion, thereby improving tissue oxygenation in patients with DFUs. Furthermore, although the researchers primarily focus on CO2 therapy as an intervention method, its efficacy is also suggested in preventing DFUs. We plan to enrole 120 patients, 80 into the study arm that will recieve CO2 therapy and 40 for a control group wothout CO2 therapy. All 120 patienrs will receive standard wound care. Aditionally, only study group will receive 20 treatments with CO2 (each workday for 4 weeks). Lower part of the body will be inserted into therapeutic wrap that is filled with 99.9% CO2 gas for 50 minutes. In both groups investigator will evaluate wound status (size, Falanga score of the wound bed) before first and after 4 weeks of treatment. Main outcome measure will be ratio of the completely heald wounds, reduction of the wound size in non healed wounds and status of the wound bed in non healed wounds after 4 weeks of treatment. Possible side effects of the CO2 therapy will be monitored.