Treatment of acute intestinal ischemia with hyperbaric oxygen.
Hyperbaric oxygen has been shown to improve oxygen tension and promote wound healing. We did a pilot study in which we created ischemic jejunal segments measuring 3, 6, and 9 cm, 10 of each length, in 30 rats. Half of the rats were given hyperbaric oxygen at 100%, 30 psi, for 90 minutes twice daily for 7 days to determine whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy could overcome the ischemic intestinal injury and prevent ischemic necrosis. In the rats with 6- and 9-cm ischemic segments, no difference was seen between the hyperbaric oxygen and control groups. Of the rats with 3-cm ischemic segments, ischemic infarction of the bowel developed in 40% of the hyperbaric oxygen group and 100% of the controls (P = 0.167, Fisher's Exact Test). We then created 3-cm ischemic intestinal segments in 30 additional rats. Again, half were treated with hyperbaric oxygen as previously described for 7 days. There was no difference between the controls and the hyperbaric oxygen group in the rate of perforation (4 of 15 [27%] versus 1 of 15 [7%]) or stricture rate (8 of 15 [53%] versus 9 of 15 [60%]). We concluded that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is of limited value for the treatment of intestinal ischemias.
Dockendorf
B L
BL
Department of Surgery, Scott & White Clinic and Memorial Hospital, Scott, Sherwood and Brindley Foundation, Texas A & M University College of Medicine, Temple 76508.
Frazee
R C
RC
Peterson
W G
WG
Myers
D
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D051381:Rats