Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) accelerates normal healing mechanisms.

How It Works:

Adequate tissue perfusion and sufficient oxygen supply are two basic requirements for the body’s healing responses. Without these the tissues enter a hypoxic state. Hypoxia impairs many healing processes – bacterial killing, collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and epithelialization. Hypoxia slows wound healing and favors bacterial growth.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) accelerates normal healing mechanisms. The increased concentration of oxygen dissolved in plasma reaches tissues with poor or compromised vascular supply (increased diffusion distance). Tissue oxygenation is also improved as the resultant vasoconstriction decreases edema (decreased intercapillary distance). HBOT stimulates the proliferation of fibroblasts and endothelial cells for at least three days post-treatment. Oxygen is delivered to the tissues at levels that actually inhibit bacterial growth. Tissue oxygen tension has been shown to be the most important local factor affecting oxidative leucocyte killing.

HBOT potentiates the activity of many antibiotics and increases their tissue penetration. HBOT decreases the growth and viability or many microorganisms while enhancing antibiotic effectiveness and the patient’s immune response.

Indications:
The postoperative patient benefits greatly from HBOT. Immediate results include the reduction of tissue swelling and inflammation - and the decrease in pain associated with these processes. Some examples of surgical procedures that benefit particularly from HBOT include:

• Gastric dilation and volvulus, and the associated reperfusion injuries


• Fracture repair, especially open fractures or those involving malunion or nonunion


• Amputations


• Gastrointestinal resection and anastamosis, especially post-foreign body obstruction


• Skin grafts


• Hemilaminectomy


• Ear canal ablation

Early HBOT greatly improves the prognosis for many acute conditions and decreases the likelihood of their becoming chronic problems. Some examples of these conditions include:

• Wounds - especially degloving, necrotic, and non-healing wounds


• Osteomyelitis


• Neuropathies - including nonsurgical intervertebral disc disease and limb paralysis/paresis


• Burns and smoke inhalation


• Crush injuries


• Head and spinal cord trauma


• Peritonitis


• Otitis - especially involving Pseudomonas as HBOT breaks down the organism’s defenses and greatly increases drug penetration

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is an important tool in companion animal medicine. From the canine athlete to the family pet, the possibilities for this treatment modality are endless.