What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of 236 patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy to determine the incidence of middle ear barotrauma and evaluate risk factors.
What They Found
The overall incidence of middle ear barotrauma (MEB) was 43.2% among 4,981 treatments. No statistically significant difference in MEB incidence was found at different rates of compression, but intubated patients had a significantly higher incidence of severe MEB (TEED 4, p < 0.0001). Importantly, 84% of MEB cases were minor (TEED scores 1 or 2).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy can expect middle ear barotrauma to be a common complication, though it is usually minor. Clinicians should be particularly vigilant for more severe barotrauma in intubated patients receiving this treatment.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a retrospective chart review, this study may be subject to limitations such as reliance on existing medical records and potential for unmeasured confounding factors.