Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work in facilitating acute wound healing: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Wound healing research
• Hyperbaric medicine
• Tissue oxygenation

Background:

• Adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is recognized for increasing tissue oxygenation and aiding difficult wound healing.
• Existing literature predominantly supports HBOT for chronic wounds, with less evidence for acute wounds, flaps, and grafts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in treating complicated acute wounds, flaps, and grafts.
• To synthesize current evidence on HBOT's role in acute wound management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of Ovid, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases.
• Inclusion of studies rated level III and above.
• Focus on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for complicated acute wounds, flaps, and grafts.

Main Results:

• Eight studies met the inclusion criteria for evaluating adjunctive HBOT in complicated acute wounds, flaps, and grafts.
• Evidence suggests HBOT can supplement standard wound care principles.

Conclusions:

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can augment healing in complicated acute wounds when integrated with standard wound management.
• HBOT is not indicated for routine wound care and requires further investigation before widespread recommendation as adjuvant therapy.