Clinical Effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Various Wound Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The objective of this review was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for various wound conditions in reducing the amputation of diabetic foot ulcer, healing of various wounds, mortality, neurophysiological condition, reduction in ulcers (wound area) and other complications in adults 18 years and over. Introduction: Inclusion criteria: This review included studies conducted among adults with acute traumatic ischemia, carbon monoxide poisoning, central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), Chronic refractory osteomyelitis, compromised skin graft or flaps (enhancement of healing in selected wounds), crush injuries, cyanide poisoning, decompression sickness, delayed radiation injury, including osteoradionecrosis, soft tissue radiation necrosis, and radiation cystitis, thermal burns, gas or air embolism, gas gangrene (for example, clostridial myositis and myonecrosis) and necrotizing soft-tissue infections. Methods: Databases to be searched include PubMed, Google scholar and Cochrane Following the search, titles and abstracts were screened by two independent reviewers for assessment against the inclusion criteria for the review. The full text of selected citations was assessed in detail against the inclusion criteria, and studies selected for retrieval was assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological validity using JBI critical appraisal tools. Results: The results of the meta-analysis comparing with HBOT compared with standard of wound carewas presented in a forest plot by subgroup analysis and those studies were statistically pooled studies and outcomes were measured. Conclusion: HBOT is a safe procedure for disease treatment and improves different aspects of quality of life in patients. HBOT is a non-invasive, safe treatment while used for different applications. HBOT application reduces the rate of major and minor amputations, and improves the rate of wound healing in nonhealing diabetic ulcers and other diseases. There was statistically significant reduction in amputation and improvement in wound healing and neurophysiological condition.