Niezgoda
Hyperbaric oxygen may be associated with some reduction in wound size, exudate and hyperaemia following a standard injury model.
Clinical Bottom Line:
- The addition of hyperbaric oxygen treatment in this model of a burn injury was associated with a reduction of wound size, exudate and hyperaemia on day 2 only.
- Appraised by: Mike Bennett, Dept of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital
Sydney; Thursday, 25 March 1999
- Clinical Scenario: A patient with thermal burns presented for treatment, we wondered if adding hyperbaric oxygen to the treatment would improve outcome.
- Three-part Question: For patients with thermal burns, does the addition of hyperbaric oxygen to the standard treatment result in any improvement in the rate of healing?
- Search Terms: burns
- The Study:
Double-blinded concealed randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat. Healthy, non-smoking volunteers with a standard wound inflicted on the forearm. Control group (N =6;6 analysed): Blister formed by suction, de-roofed and irradiated with UV light in a standard way. Wound then covered with hydrocolloid dressing renewed daily. Sham hyperbaric treatment started within 2 hours, twice daily for three days, at 2.4ATA on 8.75% oxygen for three thirty minute periods separated by 10 minute air breaks. 100% oxygen decompression. Experimental group (N =6;6 analysed): As above, but hyperbaric sessions involved breathing of 100% oxygen for three thirty minute periods separated by 10 minute air breaks.
- The Evidence:
| Non-event outcomes | Time to outcome | Control group | HBO group | P-value |
| Hyperaemia(perfusion units) | Day 2 | 25.0 | 14.4 | 0.05 |
| exudate/day (g) | Day 2 | 0.30 | 0.19 | 0.03 |
| Wound size (cm2) | Day 2 | 0.95 | 0.61 | 0.04 |
Comments: 1. Statistically significant differences on day two only. 2. Possibly inappropriate use of statistical analysis by use of multiple one-tail t-tests at times that may not have been a priori. 3. Clinical relevance unclear.
- Expiry date: December 2024
- References:
1. Niezgoda JA, Cianci P, Folden BW, Ortega RL, Slade JB, Storrow AB. The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on a burn wound model in human volunteers. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 1997; 99:1620-1625.
