Examples of Enhancing Treatment & Care with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Severe Crushing Injury – Orthopedic Surgery

A mixed breed canine sustained a severe injury to the distal limb requiring extensive orthopedic intervention including IM pin placements. The surgeon was concerned about tissue viability immediately post operatively due to the extreme soft tissue trauma, swelling, and a cool distal limb.

Two post-operative HBOT sessions at 2 ATA were given on the day of the procedure.  The Post HBOT Image shows the reduction in swelling after the second session.  The repair and clinical outcome were both successful.

HBOT is a valuable tool to provide oxygen via the plasma to tissue areas where the capillaries have become distanced from their “cell neighborhood” by swelling secondary to trauma or wounds.  Increased partial pressure of oxygen in the plasma created by HBOT allows diffusion into the tissues at a much greater distance (from those capillaries) when compared to the oxygen, which is carried and delivered from the RBC’s.  At the same time the vasoconstrictuve effects of HBOT act to reduce tissue edema. (Reference, Bakker and Cramer, Hyperbaric Surgery, Perioperative Care, 2002, Best Publishing, page 103).    

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HBOT Safety/Review Questions #2