title: Diabetic hand infections and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to discuss the clinical characteristics and results of hand infections in diabetic patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included 10 patients with diabetes mellitus who underwent HBOT due to hand infections between January 2006 and February 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Amputation was performed at the level of the right hand index finger proximal interphalangeal joint in 1 patient and at the level of the distal phalanx of the left hand middle finger in 1 due to necrotizing soft tissue infection. Ulcers of 8 patients healed completely without amputation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of HBOT to the standard treatment may contribute to the healing of hand ulcers in diabetics by increasing the tissue oxygenation and correcting the process of disturbed wound healing.
authors: Neoks Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center, İzmir, Turkey. figen.aydin@yahoo.com.
authors: Figen
authors: F
authors: Aydın
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Kaya
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Savran
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: İncesu
authors: Neoks Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center, İzmir, Turkey.
authors: Cengiz
authors: C
authors: Karakuzu
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty Hospital, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
authors: Anıl Murat
authors: AM
authors: Öztürk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology