How does adequate oxygenation contribute to wound healing?

Adequate oxygenation significantly promotes the growth of new tissue during the wound healing process. Oxygen is crucial for various cellular functions, including the metabolism of cells involved in tissue repair. When wounds heal, there is an increased need for energy production, and oxygen plays a vital role in aerobic metabolism, which is more efficient than anaerobic processes. In particular, fibroblasts, which are responsible for creating collagen and extracellular matrix necessary for new tissue, require oxygen for optimal function. Additionally, proper oxygen levels facilitate angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels—ensuring that oxygen, nutrients, and metabolic waste products can effectively traverse through the healing tissue. This combination of factors makes oxygenation absolutely essential for supporting and accelerating the growth of new tissue during wound healing.