USAF treatment table 8: treatment for altitude decompression sickness

Altitude decompression sickness (DCS) has been treated with hyperbaric therapy since 1941. Treatment has essentially followed the diving DCS paradigm. Expanding space operations and higher flying, more remotely placed military aircraft have stimulated a re-examination of this paradigm. Can the oxygen and pressure-producing resources in these austere environs be reduced without sacrificing treatment efficacy?

A prospective series of 12 patients was treated with a new treatment table. USAF Treatment Table 8 (TT8) consists of 100% oxygen delivered at 2 ATA for four 30-min periods with intervening 10-min air breaks (a total oxygen dose of 2 h). Inclusion spanned 1985-1989.

There were 10 patients who were treated 11 times for Type I altitude decompression sickness. Treatment was successful in 91%. There was one failure (a recurrence of elbow pain) requiring further therapy. Two patients were treated for Type II altitude decompression sickness. Treatment was successful in 50%. There was one failure (incomplete clearance of sensory deficits and weakness in the shoulder) requiring further therapy.

Although TT8 had two failures, its successes suggest that a new protocol for the treatment of altitude decompression sickness is viable. In addition, its successes further suggest that a more extensive clinical trial is in order.