The treatment of pelvic soft tissue radiation necrosis with hyperbaric oxygen.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the therapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen on radiation-induced soft tissue necrosis in patients who previously received treatment for a gynecologic malignancy.


METHODS
Fourteen patients whose necrotic wounds failed to heal after 3 months of conservative therapy were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Outcome of hyperbaric oxygen treatment was measured by resolution of necrosis.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients underwent 15 courses of hyperbaric oxygen treatments. All those with radiation necrosis of the vagina alone or in association with rectovaginal fistula had complete resolution of necrosis with hyperbaric oxygen. Only one treatment failure occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperbaric oxygen is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatment for radiation-induced soft tissue necrosis.
Williams
J A
JA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Carolina, Columbia.
Clarke
D
D
Dennis
W A
WA
Dennis
E J
EJ
Smith
S T
ST
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000628:therapy; D014621:Vagina / Q000528:radiation effects