Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for ballistic injuryinduced traumatic macroglossia.

Area of Science:

• Trauma surgery
• Emergency medicine
• Hyperbaric medicine

Background:

• Traumatic macroglossia, a severe tongue swelling, can compromise the airway.
• Definitive airway management is often necessary until edema resolves.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is explored for its potential to reduce swelling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of traumatic macroglossia following ballistics injury.
• To evaluate the utility of HBOT in managing traumatic macroglossia.
• To assess the impact of HBOT on extubation timing.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a male patient in his 20s with a gunshot wound to the mouth.
• Surgical intervention for ballistic shrapnel removal.
• Management of traumatic macroglossia with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Main Results:

• Patient developed traumatic macroglossia on postoperative day 1, requiring endotracheal intubation.
• HBOT sessions were administered.
• Patient was successfully extubated on postoperative day 4.

Conclusions:

• HBOT may be a valuable adjunctive therapy for traumatic macroglossia.
• This treatment can potentially expedite the resolution of tongue edema.
• HBOT may facilitate earlier extubation in select patients with airway compromise.