What Researchers Did
Researchers retrospectively reviewed 72 patients with crush hand injuries to assess the efficacy and optimal timing of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
What They Found
The 36 patients in the HBOT group received an average of 18.2 sessions (range 5-32) with no reported complications, and this group had a larger average injured area (73.6 ± 51.0 cm²) compared to the control group (48.2 ± 45.5 cm²). Demographics were similar between the HBOT and control groups.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
While the full efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for hand crush injuries is still being investigated, this study suggests it can be administered over multiple sessions without complications. Canadian patients with severe hand crush injuries might consider discussing HBOT as an adjuvant treatment option with their care team.
Canadian Relevance
This study does not have a direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada nor involved Canadian participants or researchers.
Study Limitations
The retrospective nature of this study is a significant limitation, as it may be subject to selection bias and confounding factors.