Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment for Chronic Wounds

Authors

Travis E. Kaufman, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Emergency Medicine

Advisor

Dr. Nancy Reid

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review the effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxygen

Therapy (HBOT) when used as an adjunctive treatment with standard multidisciplinary therapy for chronic wounds.

Method: A PubMed literature search was conducted with search terms hyperbaric oxygen therapy, wound, diabetic foot ulcer, and infection. Twenty-three pertinent articles were retrieved and serve as the basis for this clinical review.

Results: The research has provided strong evidence that utilizing HBOT as an adjunctive treatment can lead to improved wound healing, amputation free survival (AFS), and shorter hospital times if the provider supplies proper patient education and treatment screening.

Conclusion: The studies have demonstrated the lifesaving benefits of HBOT when fighting challenging to control infections when primary treatments are not fully effective or failing. The immediate increased partial pressure of oxygen supplied to the tissues during HBOT relieves the initial damage while preventing further sequelae for the patient. In the chronic setting, the studies have demonstrated that as an adjunctive treatment, HBOT can expedite the patients healing time by increased oxygenation, bactericidal actions, and chemotherapy delivery. These mechanisms provided by HBOT help the patient avoid further infections, amputation, and possibly death. The benefits may prove to overcome and compensate for the overall time, resources, and expenses accompanying HBOT treatment.

Recommended Citation

Kaufman TE. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment for Chronic Wounds. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2020; 2(3).