What Researchers Did
Doctors looked back at records of 30 patients who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an add-on treatment for spinal cord problems that developed after major aortic (main body artery) surgery.
What They Found
This retrospective study reviewed 30 patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for spinal cord ischemia after complex aortic repair, and found that 14 patients showed some degree of motor function improvement by their final assessment, including eight who regained full motor function. Before hyperbaric treatment began, patients' motor deficits included 10 cases of paraplegia, three of monoplegia, 16 of paraparesis, and one patient who could not be assessed. The study tracked motor function scores at several points: after surgery, before hyperbaric treatment, shortly after the final hyperbaric session, and at the last available hospital evaluation.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
This is a retrospective, single-center review of 30 patients with no control group, so it cannot show whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy caused the motor function improvements seen versus standard treatment alone.