Any wound management should assist the healing process and optimise the patient's blood flow to the wound area4. An acute wound in a stable patient with normal blood flow should heal successfully. Anything that compromises tissue oxygen delivery, such as poor vascularisation, will impede healing. There is a strong scientific basis for oxygen treatment as prophylaxis against infection; to facilitate wound closure and to prevent amputation in wounded patients. Oxygen delivery is a critical element for the healing of wounds. Hypoxemia, caused by disrupted vasculature, is a key limiting factor against wound healing.