TOPICAL HYPERBARIC OXYGEN TREATMENT OF PRESSURE SORES AND SKIN ULCERS

Hyperbaric oxygen was used topically to treat pressure sores and skin ulcers. Specially constructed devices equipped with controlled pressure sealings and automatic relief valves were used. A constant pressure of 22 mm. Hg (1.03 atmospheres absolute) was maintained inside the chamber using pure oxygen at a flow-rate of 2-8 litres per minute with direct discharge to atmosphere. Bacterial growth was suppressed, granulation was enhanced, and epithelium formed. Vascularisation seemed to be important to success. Topical hyperbaric oxygen treatment was tolerated well. It shortened the healing-time and was also useful in the preparation for plastic-surgery repair. No adverse reactions were noted. 52 patients were treated successfully; 6 others, with bilateral lesions, took part in a controlled trial of hyperbaric oxygen; and there were 6 failures (4 with an underlying osteomyelitic lesion).