title: The role of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
abstract: Diabetic foot ulcers are still extremely difficult to heal. Therefore, therapeutic options to improve healing rates are continuously being explored. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been used in addition to standard treatment of the diabetic foot for more than 20 years. Evidence suggests that HBO reduces amputation rates and increases the likelihood of healing in infected diabetic foot ulcers, in association with improved tissue oxygenation, resulting in better quality of life. Nonetheless, HBO represents an expensive modality, which is only available in few centers. Moreover, adverse events necessitate a closer investigation of its safety. Finally, it is not entirely clear which patients stand to benefit from HBO and how these should be selected. In conclusion, HBO appears promising, but more experience is needed before its broad implementation in the routine care of the diabetic foot.
authors.affiliation: Outpatient Clinic of the Diabetic Foot, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors.forename: Elisavet K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Tiaka
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papanas
authors.forename: Anastassios C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Manolakis
authors.forename: Efstratios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maltezos
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*