A Role for Topical Insulin in the Management Problematic Surgical Wounds

There is anecdotal evidence of a role for insulin in promoting wound healing. The senior author (CJK) gained experience in using topical insulin in the management of intractable wounds during his training days, often in the face of stern resistance, with excellent results. An empirical dose of 20 units of U-80 strength soluble insulin was used without clinical trial, and found to be an adequate dose to promote healing in diverse wounds, such as chronic pressure sores and amputation stump ulcers, without systemic hypoglycaemia.