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Proud Flesh: a Complicated Wound Healing—Case Report and Review of Literature

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Abstract

Introduction

Granulation tissue fills dead space, decreases the size of the wound and provides a barrier to external contaminants in wound healing. Sometimes it is impaired by the formation of extreme granulation tissue in conditions like casted or pressure-bandaged wound, accumulated inflammatory cells which result in the production of lactic acid generating low oxygen tension and low-pH environment. Exuberant granulation tissue, commonly known as proud flesh, is a frustrating complication of wound healing. It leads to the development of significant elevation above the wound edges, causing inhibition of epithelial migration. This is mostly seen in the equine species (horses).

Case report

A 37-year-old man met with a high-velocity road traffic accident was brought to the Subharti Hospital, Meerut. Examination revealed significant head injury with clinical evidence of pan-facial fracture. Ten days post-trauma, maxillofacial fixation was performed. Postoperatively, a small exuberant growth of soft tissue was noted over the upper lip region which gradually extended to all over the face. Considering the antiangiogenic property of gentian violet stain, it was applied over the lesion subsequently along with intravenous injections of hydrocortisone. The operator later observed regression in the nature of lesion, which is resolved subsequently at the end of 4 weeks.

Conclusion

Definitive management of proud flesh is variable and depends upon the phase of the wound, the extent of granulation tissue and the cosmetic outcome desired. The clinicians should have a thorough understanding of wound healing so that they can apply the specific treatment at a specific time in a specific manner.

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Abbreviations

EGT:

Exuberant granulation tissue

PF:

Proud flesh

βFGF:

Beta (β)-fibroblast growth factor

EGF:

Epidermal growth factor

TGF-α and TGF-β:

Transforming growth factor alpha and beta

IL-8:

Interleukin 8

PDGF:

Platelet derived growth factor

IGF-1:

Insulin-like growth factor 1

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha

IL-1:

Interleukin 1

bFGF:

Basic fibroblast growth factor

Ang-2:

Angiopoietin-2

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

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Funding

This paper did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Subharti Dental College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, India

    Prajesh Dubey, Vishal Bansal, Apoorva Mowar & Akash Rajput

  2. Department of General Pathology, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, India

    Rani Bansal & Mamta Gupta

Authors
  1. Prajesh Dubey
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  2. Vishal Bansal
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  3. Apoorva Mowar
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  4. Rani Bansal
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  5. Mamta Gupta
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  6. Akash Rajput
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Correspondence to Akash Rajput.

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Dubey, P., Bansal, V., Mowar, A. et al. Proud Flesh: a Complicated Wound Healing—Case Report and Review of Literature. J. Maxillofac. Oral Surg. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-020-01344-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-020-01344-9

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