What Researchers Did
Turkish physicians reported three pediatric patients with severe crush injuries from the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake in whom amputation was initially planned but was avoided using a protocol combining therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and intensive daily HBOT.
What They Found
All three children avoided amputation using the combined TPE plus HBOT protocol, supported by anticoagulants, vasodilators, vacuum-assisted wound closure, antibiotics, and wound debridement. The authors note this appears to be the first published case series using TPE specifically for crush injury.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadians who experience severe crush injuries from car accidents, industrial accidents, or mass casualty events, this case series suggests that aggressive early use of HBOT alongside plasma exchange may save limbs that would otherwise require amputation. It also highlights the value of accessible HBOT capacity in trauma-capable hospitals.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
With only 3 cases and no control group, it is impossible to know whether these patients would have recovered without HBOT, and the unique disaster context limits how well findings translate to routine trauma care.