What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2T) on bony stability in 16 patients undergoing LeFort I maxillofacial surgery, comparing an HBO2T group (n=8) to a control group (n=8) over 12 months.
What They Found
At 12 months post-surgery (T3), there were significant differences in bony stability measurements between the HBO2T and control groups. The HBO2T group showed no statistically significant difference in parameters between seven days and 12 months post-surgery, indicating minor or no relapse. This suggests that HBO2T improved bony stability compared to the control group.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing LeFort I maxillofacial surgery might experience improved long-term bony stability and reduced relapse if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is administered post-operatively. This could potentially lead to more predictable surgical outcomes and fewer needs for corrective procedures.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is its small sample size of 16 patients, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.