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Evaluation of hyperbaric oxygen for diabetic wounds: a prospective study
W A Zamboni1, H P Wong, L L Stephenson
1Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, USA.
Summary
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) significantly improved healing in diabetic lower extremity wounds. This study suggests HBOT is a promising treatment for chronic diabetic foot ulcers.
Area of Science:
- Wound Healing
- Hyperbaric Medicine
- Diabetology
Background:
- Diabetic lower extremity wounds are a significant clinical challenge with high morbidity.
- Chronic non-healing wounds in diabetic patients often require advanced therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy in promoting the healing of chronic diabetic lower extremity wounds.
- To compare wound healing rates between patients receiving HBO2 and a control group.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, non-randomized study involving 15 patients with diabetic lower extremity wounds.
- Ten patients received 30 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (100% O2, 2 atm abs, 2 h/day, 5 days/wk).
- Wound surface area, transcutaneous oxygen levels, and surgical debridement were assessed. Weekly wound tracings were performed by blinded personnel.
Main Results:
- No significant baseline differences were observed between the HBO2 and control groups in age, gender, wound area, or oxygen tension.
- After 7 weeks, the HBO2 group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in wound surface area compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly accelerated wound size reduction in diabetic lower extremity wounds compared to standard care.
- These findings support the need for larger, randomized, double-blind controlled trials to confirm the benefits of HBO2 for diabetic foot wound healing.