Uses of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the 1990s.

What Researchers Did

This study reviewed the diverse physiological effects and clinical applications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the 1990s.

What They Found

Researchers found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has numerous physiological effects, including enhancing leukocyte killing, inhibiting anaerobic bacteria, reducing tissue oedema, and promoting capillary growth. These effects make HBOT useful for treating a range of conditions such as anaerobic infections like gas gangrene, severe aerobic infections (e.g., necrotizing fasciitis, malignant external otitis, chronic refractory osteomyelitis), problem wounds, radionecrosis, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada nor involved Canadian researchers or patients.

Study Limitations

A key limitation noted is that hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocols were largely empirical at the time, requiring further research to better define therapeutic indications.