Osteointegration of implants in radiated bone with and without adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen

A study was undertaken to evaluate the integration of endosseous implants in rabbit tibias that had received a tumoricidal dose of radiation. The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on integration in this compromised situation was also evaluated. Despite clinical and radiographic evidence of success of all implants, there was a significant decrease in amount of histologic bony integration of implants placed in the tibias that had received radiation therapy when compared to contralateral control implants. Adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly improved the amount of histologic integration of implants placed within the radiated tibias evaluated at 10 and 16 weeks after placement. Hyperbaric oxygen was also associated with better soft tissue wound healing in the radiated surgical site. Increased integration time significantly improved the amount of histologic integration in the animals that did not receive hyperbaric oxygen.