Early administration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in distraction osteogenesis--a quantitative study in New Zealand rabbits.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on the early phase of tibial lengthening in our established rabbit model.


METHODS
Twenty-four male rabbits (six per group) underwent right tibial lengthening by 5 mm. Group 1 then underwent 2.5 atmospheres of absolute hyperbaric oxygenation for 2 hours daily for 6 weeks postoperatively; group 2, for early 5 weeks (weeks 1-5), group 3, for late 5 weeks (weeks 2-6), and group 4 had no HBO therapy. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured before surgery and weekly thereafter from weeks 2 through 6. The mechanical strengths of the lengthened tibias were measured.


RESULTS
Significantly higher mean %BMDs were obtained for groups 1 and 2 compared with groups 3 and 4. There was no difference in the mean %BMD between groups 1 and 2 (p > 0.05). The results were similar for mean percentage maximal torque; group 1 had the maximum torque, followed sequentially by groups 2 though 4.


CONCLUSIONS
The study results suggest that early and full-term administration of HBO therapy on tibial lengthening may achieve better benefits.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
I-Chun
IC
Wang
Steve
S
Wen-Neng Ueng
Li-Jen
LJ
Yuan
Yuan-Kun
YK
Tu
Song-Shu
SS
Lin
Chao-Ran
CR
Wang
Ching-Lung
CL
Tai
Kun-Chang
KC
Wang
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing