Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as adjunctive treatment for diabetic foot ulcers

Abstract

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been suggested to improve healing of hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers. Although the wide use of HBOT as a treatment for diabetic foot ulcers has been founded on weak scientific ground, 2 well-designed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have in recent years put HBOT on firmer ground as treatment for diabetic patients with chronic foot ulcers. The recognition of inclusion criteria in these studies may help identify a select group of diabetic patients with hard-to-heal ulcers who might benefit from HBOT. In this review, we discuss the rationale behind the use of HBOT, its clinical application, and possible treatment complications.

Keywords: HBO; diabetes; foot ulcer; hyperbaric oxygen therapy.