What Researchers Did
Researchers tested whether adding hyperbaric oxygen therapy to standard compression care helps chronic leg ulcers heal faster than standard care alone.
What They Found
In this open-label randomised trial of 80 adults with venous leg ulcers that had not responded to standard care, the group receiving hyperbaric oxygen (20 sessions at 2.4 ATA, 90 minutes) plus standard care had a larger reduction in ulcer area at 30 days than the standard-care-only group (62.1% versus 41.7%, p less than 0.001). Complete healing by 90 days occurred in 62.5% of the hyperbaric oxygen group versus 30.0% of the standard-care group. Oxygen levels in the tissue (TcPO2) rose from 26.1 to 150.3 mmHg in the hyperbaric oxygen group, and pain scores dropped more in that group as well. Three patients (7.5%) had mild ear barotrauma that resolved on its own.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The trial was open-label rather than sham-controlled, was conducted at a single centre, and followed patients for only 90 days, all of which limit how confidently the results can be generalized.