What Researchers Did
Researchers studied 33 patients with severe crush injuries from the 2023 Turkey earthquakes who received HBOT at a hyperbaric center, examining limb salvage rates even when treatment started an average of 195 hours (over 8 days) after rescue.
What They Found
Despite delayed initiation, 78.8% of patients avoided amputation after HBOT. Of patients who had fasciotomies before HBOT, 72.4% had their wounds close without further complications. All amputations occurred in patients with the most severe injuries.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadians with severe crush injuries from accidents or industrial trauma, this study suggests HBOT may help salvage limbs even when the injury is days old. Trauma teams should consider requesting HBOT consultation for severe crush injuries, particularly those involving threatened limb viability.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified. Relevant to trauma care planning for industrial and mining accidents common in parts of Canada.
Study Limitations
There was no control group; injury severity varied widely, and the earthquake context involved logistical delays not representative of standard trauma systems.