Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work in facilitating acute wound healing: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a safe and effective modality with which to increase tissue oxygenation and aid in healing of difficult wounds. The majority of the literature surrounding hyperbaric oxygen therapy supports its use in chronic wounds, but its use in acute wounds, flaps, and grafts is less well supported.


METHODS
The authors reviewed the Ovid, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases, and selected studies, level III and above, using hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of complicated acute wounds, flaps, and grafts.


RESULTS
A total of eight studies were found to meet criteria for evaluation of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of complicated acute wounds, flaps, and grafts.


CONCLUSIONS
When combined with standard wound management principles, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can augment healing in complicated acute wounds. However, it is not indicated in normal wound management. Further investigation is required before it can be recommended as a mainstay in adjuvant wound therapy.


METHODS
Therapeutic, II.
Dallas, Texas From the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Phillip B
PB
Dauwe
Benson J
BJ
Pulikkottil
Lawrence
L
Lavery
James M
JM
Stuzin
Rod J
RJ
Rohrich
D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D014945:Wound Healing