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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of open fractures and crush injuries

Mark F Buettner1, Derek Wolkenhauer

  • 1Great River Wound and Hyperbaric Clinic, Center for Rehabilitation, 1401 West Agency Road, West Burlington, IA 52655, USA. mbuettner@pol.net

Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America
|April 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a justified treatment for open fractures and crush injuries. Emergency physicians should consider this therapy for early patient management.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Hyperbaric Medicine

Background:

  • Open fractures and crush injuries present complex treatment challenges.
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an emerging treatment modality with potential benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical evidence and cost-effectiveness of HBOT for open fractures and crush injuries.
  • To inform medical institutions and emergency physicians about the utility of HBOT.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical evidence supporting HBOT for trauma.
  • Analysis of cost-effectiveness for incorporating HBOT into standard care.

Main Results:

  • Clinical evidence supports the use of HBOT in treating open fractures and crush injuries.
  • Cost analysis indicates that incorporating HBOT is justifiable for relevant medical institutions.

Conclusions:

  • HBOT is an approved indication for crush injuries by Medicare and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.
  • Medical institutions should consider integrating HBOT as a standard of care for open fractures and crush injuries.
  • Emergency physicians play a crucial role in the early management and consideration of HBOT for these injuries.

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