What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed 10 years of experience with hyperbaric oxygen treatment in 87 patients at a Regional Centre for Infectious Diseases.
What They Found
Of the 87 patients, 58 (67%) had anaerobic infections and had failed prior surgery and antimicrobial agents. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment led to marked improvement in general condition, wound infection, and limitation of infection extension, though up to 24% of patients experienced symptoms suggestive of oxygen toxicity, often anxiety-related.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with severe, progressive anaerobic infections unresponsive to conventional treatments might benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This treatment could potentially reduce surgical risks and improve outcomes for those facing limb-threatening or life-threatening infections.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted at a Regional Centre for Infectious Diseases outside of Canada.
Study Limitations
The study's main limitation is its lack of a prospective controlled design, which is advocated for future research.