What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed existing literature and their own experience to define the principles, effects, and surgical applications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What They Found
They found that while hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is well-established for clostridial myonecrosis, its broader surgical applications are often unclear. Unquestionable surgical uses include clostridial and non-clostridial gas gangrene, while relative uses encompass aerobic cellulitis and diabetic arterial disease, with preventive applications also noted.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with severe infections like gas gangrene may benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunctive treatment. For conditions such as aerobic cellulitis or diabetic arterial disease, HBOT could be considered a relative option, potentially improving outcomes when integrated into a comprehensive care plan.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it is a review of literature and experience from outside Canada.
Study Limitations
A limitation is that this review, published in 1990, relies on older literature and personal experience, lacking contemporary evidence or quantitative data to precisely define all surgical indications.