Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for ballistic injuryinduced traumatic macroglossia

As a life-saving measure, in patients experiencing traumatic macroglossia, a definitive airway may be required to protect the airway until the oedema resolves. The utilisation of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has the potential to expedite the resolution of traumatic macroglossia and subsequent extubation of the patient. The following case report discusses a patient who experienced traumatic macroglossia following a ballistics injury in which HBOT was utilised. A man in his 20s experienced a gunshot to the mouth. On postoperative day (POD) 1 following surgical intervention which included the removal of the ballistic shrapnel, he experienced traumatic macroglossia and required emergent endotracheal intubation. He underwent HBOT sessions and was extubated on POD 4. The utilisation of HBOT may have utility in treating intubated patients with traumatic macroglossia to expedite the resolution of the macroglossia.