Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on osseointegration of titanium implants in irradiated bone: a preliminary report

Four patients who had undergone combined surgical and radiotherapeutic treatment for maxillofacial cancer had osseointegrated titanium implants placed in the bone of the treated region at various intervals after irradiation. Preoperatively and postoperatively, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was administered to the patients at the level of 2 or 3 atmosphere absolute (ATA). Of the 21 fixtures placed, one was lost because of lack of osseointegration, rendering the survival rate 92.3%. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy seemed to be a viable method to improve the survival rate of fixtures in irradiated bone tissue.