What Researchers Did
Researchers surveyed North American hyperbaric facilities to identify their hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment practices for mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN).
What They Found
Out of 316 facilities surveyed, 280 (88.6%) treat or would treat mandibular ORN with HBO2, achieving a 99.7% response rate. Twelve different hyperbaric treatment protocols were reported, with approximately three-quarters of facilities using a protocol of 90 minutes of 100% oxygen at 2.4-2.5 atmospheres absolute.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Patients with mandibular osteoradionecrosis seeking hyperbaric oxygen treatment may encounter varying protocols across different facilities. This highlights the importance of discussing the specific treatment plan and its rationale with their healthcare provider.
Canadian Relevance
This study focused on North American facilities, but the metadata indicates no specific Canadian connection was identified.
Study Limitations
A key limitation is the absence of clinical data to support the superiority of any one hyperbaric oxygen treatment protocol over another for mandibular osteoradionecrosis.