What Researchers Did
Researchers combined data from 7 studies to determine whether HBOT improves how autologous bone grafts, bone taken from the patient's own body, integrate after transplant surgery.
What They Found
HBOT produced a moderate-to-strong effect on bone graft integration overall (standardised mean difference of 1.476, 95% CI: 0.814–2.138). In orthopaedic surgery specifically, the effect was even stronger (SMD 1.995) with very consistent results across studies (I²=3.4%). Results for craniofacial applications were less consistent, with one cranial study showing a negative result.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
Most of the analyzed studies used animal models, and the substantial variation in overall study results (I²=77%) limits confidence in applying findings directly to human patients.