title: Treatment of diabetic foot complications with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a retrospective experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective observational study of all patients with diabetic foot ulcers treated at the Institution's hyperbaric chamber between January 2010 and August 2012. Patient data was obtained upon patient hospital visit and prospective clinical record consultation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six foot lesions including 13 foot ulcers Wagner grade 2 or greater and 13 amputation stump ulcers were submitted to hyperbaric oxygen therapy between January 2010 and August 2012 in our Institution. Of these, 23 foot lesions completed treatment and complete epithelialization of the primary lesion was achieved in 15 (65%). The mean healing period since the first hyperbaric oxygen therapy session was 16 weeks. Above-ankle amputations were performed in 3 limbs and transmetatarsal amputations in 2 limbs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hyperbaric oxygen may be associated with ulcer healing in selected diabetic foot ulcers with impaired cicatrization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo EPE, Ponta Delgada, Portugal. Electronic address: nfgoliveira@sapo.pt.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Subaquatic and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo EPE, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo EPE, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo EPE, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo EPE, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo EPE, Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cássio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000672:Amputation Stumps; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Amputation; Diabetic foot ulcer; Hyperbaric oxygen therapy; Infection