Physicians have prescribed compounded topical Phenytoin (brand name: Dilantin) for wounds from:

* Diabetes (Diabetic Ulcers)
* Pressure sores (bed sores)
* Burns
* Radiation-impaired wounds
* Split-thickness or partial-thickness skin autograft donor sites 
* Other dermatologic lesions

The following are outlines of a few documented studies regarding topical use of phenytoin:

In a study of 100 patients, the Phenytoin-treated patients healed in 21 days compared with 45 days for the control group.  The authors concluded that Phenytoin for diabetic ulcers is both effective and safe.  Given Phenytoin's effectiveness, availability, low cost, ease of use and safely, the researchers
strongly recommend topical Phenytoin as a treatment for diabetic ulcers. 1

In a study involving second degree burns, topical Phenytoin reduced mean healing times from 45 days to 21 days with a noted decrease in bacterial contamination and rapid local pain relief in patients. 2

In the treatment of chronic skin ulcers, one study of 75 inpatients showed wound reduction to be greater in the Phenytoin group than in the controls.  50% of Phenytoin-treated wounds had negative cultures by day 7, compared with 17% for controls.  Healthy granulation tissue appeared earlier with Phenytoin.  At the end of the 4th week, 29 of 40 Phenytoin-treated ulcers had healed completely, compared with 10 of 35 controls. 3

Phenytoin is a well-known Hyantoin derivative anticonvulsant, topical preparations of which has been widely used in the healing of various types of skin ulcers and large abscess cavities. 1,4-6  Topical Phenytoin compares very favorably with, and in some aspects is superior to, occlusive dressings. 7

At Saint John's Medical Plaza Pharmacy, we compound topical Phenytoin preparations combined with Misoprostal (Cytotec), Ketoprofen (Orudis), Lidocaine (Xylocaine) or other drugs your physician may diagnose to be necessary for your specific condition.  

Notes:
1 Muthukumarasamy MG, Sivakumar G, Manoharan G. Topical phenytoin in diabetic foot unsolder. Diabetes Care. 1991;14:909-911 
2 Smth BH, Moore M, Jain K. The first international conference on the uses of phenytoin in dermatology, December 12-15,1987. Int J Dermatol. 1988;27:528-530.
3 Pendse AK, Sharma A, Sodani A, et al. Topical phenytoin in wound healing. Int J Dermatol. 1993;32:214-217.
4 Reynolds JEF (ed). MARTINDALE: The Extra Pharmacopoeia, ed 30. London, The Pharmaceutical Press, 1993, pp 304-309.
5 Lodha SC, Lohiya ML, Vyas MCR et al. Role of phenytoin in healing of large abscess cavities. Br J Surg 1991;78:105-108.
6 Gore R, Taylor D, Porteous M et al. Topical Phenytoin. Pharm J 1991;247:620.
7 Yadav JK, Singhvi AM, Kumar N, et al. Topical phenytoin in the treatment of split-thickness skin autograft donor sites: A comparative study with polyurethane membrane drape and conventional dressing. Burns. 1993; 19:306-310. 
8 McEvoy GK. AHFS Drug Information-1999. Bethesda, MD, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1999,ppp 1731-1737.   
9 Hanson GR. Local anesthetics. In Gennaro AR (ed). Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, ed 19. Easton, PA, Mack Publishing Company, 1995, pp 1149, 1153.