Hyperbaric Oxygenotherapy in the Treatment of Refractory Problem Wounds

Overview

Our study presents effects of the hyperbaric inhalation oxygenotherapy in the treatment of ischaemic diseases of lower extremities and chronic refractory problem wounds. Hyperbaric oxygenotherapy (HO) has antioedemic effect, it stimulates collagen synthesis, formation of granular tissue, and antimicrobial capacity of leukocytes. It also stimulates formation of new blood vessels, which is important namely in tissue hypoxia accompanying microangiopathy of the diabetic foot. HO should be administered as soon as possible after the diagnosis is fixed. Treatment should be done in co-operation with various specialists: surgeons, diabetologists, angiologists, orthopaedic surgeons and specialist on the hyperbaric medicine. First evaluation of HO effects should be done after 15 expositions to HO. If effects are negative, treatment should continue till 25 expositions. If effects are still negative, the treatment should terminate. As a part of complex treatment, HO can prevent high amputations, decrease the duration of hospitalisation and thus economise the whole therapy. Similar results were described in several clinical studies from different developed industrial countries.

Key words:
hyperbaric oxygenotherapy, ischaemic diseases of lower limbs, economy of therapy.