Treatment of diabetic foot infection with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
BACKGROUND
This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of the infected diabetic foot.


METHODS
Forty-two patients with 44 infected diabetic feet receiving HBOT were divided into two groups. One group of 21 patients with 21 feet received <10 sessions of HBOT. The other 21 patients with 23 feet received >10 sessions of HBOT.


RESULTS
In patients who received <10 sessions of HBOT, seven patients achieved satisfactory wound healing. Feet were preserved in 33.3%. In patients with >10 sessions of HBOT, 16 patients with 18 feet achieved good wound healing. Of these patients, 78.3% preserved their feet. This group of patients received an average of 22.8 HBOT treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Adjunctive HBOT has a positive effect on wound healing in diabetic foot with infection. The effect of HBOT seems dose dependent because the amputation rate is decreased in patients who receive adequate HBOT.
Chen
Chin-En
CE
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Golden Hospital, 12-2, Minsheng E. Rd., Pingtung City 900, Taiwan, ROC. chinenmd@ms21.hinet.net
Ko
Jih-Yang
JY
Fong
Chin-Yeng
CY
Juhn
Rei-Jahn
RJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*