The Role of Conjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Decreasing Amputations in those with Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Clinical Review
Summary: This clinical review appraises published evidence on the adjunctive use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and its impact on reducing major amputations and enhancing healing. Incorporating six comparative studies, the review synthesizes outcomes on wound size, infection, amputation rates, and mortality.
Key Highlights:
- HBOT as an adjunct to standard wound care demonstrated superior healing and reduced amputation in chronic DFUs.
- Meta-analyses included show consistent trends favoring HBOT over conventional therapy alone.
- The review process included filters, MeSH terms, and strict inclusion criteria to narrow to six high-quality studies.
- Authors call for larger prospective trials to better quantify risks, benefits, and optimal protocols.
Keywords:
hyperbaric oxygen therapy,
diabetic foot ulcer,
amputation risk,
wound healing,
adjunctive therapy