[Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on lumbar intertransverse fusion in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on lumbar intertransverse fusion in rabbits.


METHODS
Twenty-eight healthy adult female rabbits underwent lumbar intertransverse fusion at L( 5-6) with autogenous iliac bone graft. They were randomly assigned into an HBO group and a control group (n=14). Rabbits were killed 6 weeks after the operation for surgical inspection, X-ray, bone density measurement and histologic analysis.


RESULTS
The fusion rate of the HBO group evaluated by surgical inspection, and radiologic examination in a blind fashion significantly increased compared with that of the control group (P<0.05). Qualitative histologic assessment showed increased bone formation and bone maturity in the HBO group compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy could improve the fusion rate of lumbar intertransverse fusion in rabbits.
Wu
Jianhuang
J
Department of Spinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China. wujianhuang11@126.com
Zhou
Jiangnan
J
Liao
Qiande
Q
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*