What Researchers Did
A prospective trial evaluated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on organ/space sternal surgical site infections following cardiac surgery requiring sternotomy.
What They Found
Among 32 patients with postoperative sternal surgical site infections, those who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy (n=14) had a significantly lower infection relapse rate (0% vs. 33.3%, p=0.024) compared to those who did not (n=18). Additionally, the hyperbaric oxygen group experienced shorter durations of intravenous antibiotic use (47.8 vs. 67.6 days, p=0.036) and total hospital stay (52.6 vs. 73.6 days, p=0.026).
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted in Canada and does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's non-randomised design and relatively small sample size of 32 patients limit the generalizability of the findings.