Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy and wound healing

This report analyzes articles on hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) therapy to find correlations in its usage towards the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. Conducting a review of the literature will assist in the identification of concepts to address in future HBO investigations as it relates to wound care and recovery. By finding background information relating to the history of HBO use in medical and clinical practice, its effectiveness, treatment standards, and protocols are further evaluated to determine standard oxygen pressures and treatment duration times when utilized in wound healing. Articles that emphasize HBO as a compliment to standard wet and/or dry applications are prioritized in this review. Assessment of HBO administration allows for proper utilization of HBO treatments and findings may indicate HBO’s limitations and expose inconsistencies in treatment methodologies necessary to refine and improve its clinical application. By expanding knowledge of HBO effectiveness, its availability will decrease costs because of improved demand. If research continues in this area, HBO therapy is projected to show significant gains in improving the lives of patients suffering from severe burns, cuts, ulcers, etc., and non-healing wounds such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.