What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a structured review of medical literature to understand how hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps surgical wounds heal and saves tissue.
What They Found
The review found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves wound closure rates and reduces infection risk in chronic ischemic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers. It also enhances tissue viability, reduces the progression of tissue death, improves graft integration, and decreases amputation rates in high-risk patients with compromised grafts and ischemic flaps.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients experiencing surgical wound complications, hyperbaric oxygen therapy could be an important additional treatment. It may help those with chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, heal more effectively and reduce their risk of infection. Patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for conditions like compromised grafts or radiation-induced tissue damage might also benefit from improved tissue survival and a reduced need for amputation.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers Health Canada-recognised indications, specifically diabetic foot ulcers and radiation-induced tissue damage.
Study Limitations
As a narrative review, this study did not provide a quantitative synthesis or critical assessment of the individual studies included.