Application of recombinant human epidermal growth factor in oral and maxillofacial trauma and its impact on healing time.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the role of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in promoting the healing of oral and maxillofacial (OMF) trauma, analyze its specific impact on healing time, and explore the biological mechanisms of rhEGF in facilitating wound recovery.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 135 patients with OMF trauma treated at our hospital from May 2023 to May 2024. Patients were divided into an observation group (72 cases) receiving rhEGF treatment and a control group (63 cases) receiving conventional therapy. Clinical efficacy, inflammatory responses, perioperative indicators, and other outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The observation group demonstrated a higher treatment efficacy rate (94.46 %) compared to the control group (77.78 %) (χ² = 16.151, P < 0.001). In the perioperative period, the observation group exhibited shorter healing time (t = 6.038, P < 0.001), reduced incision edema duration (t = 12.330, P < 0.001), and lower post-treatment VAS scores (t = 10.400, P < 0.001), though surgical duration was slightly longer (t = -24.145, P < 0.001). Inflammatory marker analysis revealed that EGF levels were higher (t = -13.969, P < 0.001), while IL-6 (t = 10.458, P < 0.001) and CRP levels (t = 14.092, P < 0.001) were lower in the observation group than in the control group. Scar hyperplasia occurred in only 2 cases in the observation group compared to 13 cases in the control group (χ² = 10.848, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

rhEGF promotes wound healing in OMF trauma, accelerating recovery, shortening healing time, reducing inflammatory responses, and minimizing scar hyperplasia.