Pressure Ulcer / Decubitus Ulcer
Pressure Ulcers or decubitus ulcers occur as a result of decreased blood flow to skin tissue from prolonged pressure. It is a common problem with bedridden patients or people who are wheelchair bound. The wounds can vary in severity, and can penetrate as deep as bony tissue. Infections often complicate healing.
First and foremost the source of the pressure must be removed. The best results can be expected if standard wound care is combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
more soon...
First and foremost the source of the pressure must be removed. The best results can be expected if standard wound care is combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
more soon...
Scientific Resources Supporting HBOT for Pressure Ulcers
- 2015 - Improving the Ability to Eliminate Wounds and Pressure Ulcers.
- 2012 - The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on the enhancement of healing in selected problem wounds
- 2012 - Evidence-based decisions for local and systemic wound care
- 2008 - Hyperbaric oxygen therapy - types of injuries and number of sessions -- a review of 1506 cases.
- 2004 - Wound care for elderly patients: advances and clinical applications for practicing physicians
- 2003 - Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: current trends and applications.
- 1999 - Targeting lurking pathogens in acute traumatic and chronic wounds.
- 1997 - Adjuvant therapy for ulcer care
- 1988 - Benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of decubitus ulcers.
- 1981 - Hyperbaric oxygen in the management of pressure sores in patients with injuries to the spinal cord.
- 1966 - Low pressure hyperbaric oxygen treatment of decubiti and skin ulcers. (No abstract)
Biofilms in Problem Wounds
It has been reported by Wolcott et al. that problem wounds have a biofilm component. This is the main reason for the regular debridement of wounds in standard wound care. Physical removal of the infected surface of problem wounds is one of the only effective ways to remove the biofilm infection. Biofilm is a multi-kingdom form that bacteria can take in the body, that are strongly antibiotic and immune resistant. It is believed that the chronicity of many infections can be attributed to this bacterial form. HBOT has been shown to be a effective potentiator of antibiotics in many biofilm infections, it remains to be seen if HBOT has a direct anti-biofilm effect. For more information visit our biofilm page.