OBJECTIVE: To review the published data on ultrasound as a means to enhance wound healing. STUDY SELECTION: A combined computerized (Medline 1980 to 1994) and manual search of the world literature was performed. DATA EXTRACTION: All controlled trials on cutaneous wound healing were admitted. Three experimental and five clinical studies were retrieved. DATA SYNTHESIS: The experimental studies imply that cutaneous wounds treated with ultrasound heal quicker than untreated wounds. Clinical trials suggest that ultrasound speeds the healing of leg ulcers and possibly also of pressure sores. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound is a promising adjunct to the complementary treatment of wounds, which would need more detailed, definitive study.

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