Ergotism treated with hyperbaric oxygen and continuous epidural analgesia.
Eight patients suffering from severe ergotamine-induced peripheral ischaemia were transferred to our institution for hyperbaric oxygen treatment after unsuccessful therapy in the primary hospital. The patients were exposed to 3 ATBS oxygen for 1 hour 2-3 times daily and they were given an epidural block for the purpose of analgesia where there was severe pain. The circulation and vitality of tissue were restored in all patients. One had tarsal amputations performed half a year later. Hyperbaric oxygen in combination with epidural analgesia is recommended in severe cases of ergotism.
D000328:Adult; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D004881:Ergotism / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged