What Researchers Did
Researchers retrospectively analyzed treatment outcomes for 809 osteomyelitis patients, initially using debridement with closed irrigation and later Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).
What They Found
The study reported treating 256 osteomyelitis patients with debridement and closed irrigation before 1981, and 553 patients with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) thereafter. A good result was observed in 95% of cases when including closed irrigation therapy. Cases with fistulas, sequestra, foreign material, or vast osteonecrosis were difficult to resolve completely with HBOT alone, requiring additional curettage and closed irrigation.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
This study is a retrospective case series without a control group, and the definition of a "good result" is not clearly specified, limiting the strength of its conclusions.