Hyperbaric Oxygen Accelerates Wound Healing

Small, portable hyperbaric oxygen chambers raise oxygen levels at the site of chronic open wounds, which promotes healing. The treatment is noninvasive, lacks any systemic oxygen toxicity, and can be used in any setting.

Chronic open wounds such as diabetic and decubitus ulcers are a challenge to doctors. The use of hyperbaric oxygen has been shown to be a safe, simple, and effective way to accelerate the healing of chronic open wounds. Diffused topical oxygen pulsed directly into the wound has been documented to raise capillary PO2 levels of hypoxic tissue in the wound site, stimulating capillary budding and granulation of new, healthy tissue. The moist, sealed humidification system also promotes healing, while increased leukocyte function enhances antibacterial activity and suppresses bacterial growth.

New portable hyperbaric oxygen chambers are available from Advanced Hyperbaric Technologies, Inc. (Farmingdale, NJ, USA). The Extremity Chamber can be used in hospitals, wound care centers, or at home for providing topical hyperbaric oxygen directly into a wound. A pulsed intermittent pressure applied directly to the wound serves as a non-contact compression that stimulates circulation and reduces edema. This regimen has been found to be highly effective in healing open wounds of the extremities and saving limbs and toes from amputation. A Disposable Sacral Chamber is also available.