Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Hyperbaric Chamber Information ...

Multiplace chambers can accommodate several occupants, including observers, and
medical and support personnel. Instead of 100 percent oxygen, the chamber is
pressurised with air, while subjects undergoing therapy breathe pure oxygen through
masks, hoods, or endotracheal tubes. The chamber’s larger size allows personnel to enter
and move about with relative ease in order to deal with acute problems. The risk of fire is
also reduced due to the administration of pure oxygen through patient-specific devices. 4
Intended purpose
As a large number of indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy was identified in the
initial literature search, a decision was made by the Supporting Committee to exclude
from evaluation those indications for which HBOT is widely accepted as the clinical
standard of care and those that have little clinical acceptance, or have been minimally
reported in the literature. Those indications considered standards of care and not
evaluated were decompression illness, gas embolism and gas gangrene.
The indications chosen for evaluation by the Supporting Committee were: thermal burns;
diabetic wounds including diabetic gangrene and diabetic foot ulcers; non-diabetic
wounds and decubitus (or pressure) ulcers; soft tissue infections including necrotising
fasciitis, Fournier’s gangrene, and necrotising arachnidism; actinomycosis; soft tissue
radionecrosis; osteomyelitis; osteoradionecrosis; skin graft survival; multiple sclerosis and
cerebral palsy; cardiovascular conditions including acute myocardial infarctions,
cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral obstructive arterial disease (POAD); soft tissue
injuries including acute ankle sprains and crush injuries; facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy);
cluster and migraine headaches; Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (necrosis of the femoral
head, especially prevalent in children); sudden deafness and acoustic trauma; Crohn’s
disease; osteoporosis; cancer and carbon monoxide poisoning.
The indications excluded from evaluation because they have little clinical acceptance,
and/or have been minimally reported in the literature are: cyanide poisoning, head
trauma, cerebral oedema, acquired brain injury, cognitive impairment, senile dementia,
glaucoma, keratoendotheliosis, HIV infection, anaemia from exceptional blood loss,
insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, facial neuritis, arthritis, spinal injuries and non-union
of fractures.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy 3