Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Term Paper Example

Timely diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers allow for the prevention of harmful effects; minimizing the potential for amputations of the affected limb. Diabetics encounter poor wound healing. The management of patients with diabetic foot ulcers aims at obtaining closure of the wound, relieving pressure on the foot, eradicating infection, and management of ischemia (Medifocus 21). Customized wound healing may require wound dressing, the use of growth factors, or a skin graft.

Results from a study carried out by Londahl et al. concurred with the concept that adjunctive treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) facilitates foot ulcer healing in some diabetic patients. The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Diabetics with Chronic Foot Ulcers (HODFU) clinical trial by Londahl et al. took place in a single center (ambulatory setting). This double-blinded study required randomization and a placebo. The researchers compared the results from the diabetics who received HBOT with those who received hyperbaric air treatment. The HODFU study revealed that out of the 94 patients with Wagner 2, 3, or 4 ulcers, who underwent treatment for more than three months, complete healing of the index ulcers occurred in 37 diabetics. 25 out of the 48 patients (52%) in the HBOT category recovered from the ulcers completely. On the other hand, only 12 out of 42 patients (29%) in the placebo group posted similar results. The degree of healing in the 35 patients who completed HBOT indicated 61% success compared to a 27% success rate in the placebo category.

HBOT has not been given much attention in the treatment of Diabetic ulcers. The management of diabetic foot ulcers requires careful control to prevent severe complications and possibilities for limb amputations. HBOT shows promising results in managing diabetic patients with foot ulcers. In addition to its antimicrobial effect, HBOT also increases the oxygenation of hypoxic wound tissues. Consequently, the killing potential of neutrophils increases, fibroblast activity rises, collagen synthesis improves, and angiogenesis begins. The evidence of the effectiveness of HBOT remains limited, thus, only a few centers utilize it. Therefore, the following needs to be done. Experts should enhance the available information on HBOT by conducting extra clinical trials. In this case, additional studies need to be conducted to find out the group of diabetics that respond positively to this therapy and the associated adverse effects. More information regarding the procedure involved in the provision of HBOT should be provided. Read More