Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that uses the administration of 100 percent oxygen at a controlled pressure (greater than sea level) for a prescribed amount of time-usually 60 to 90 minutes. It helps the body heal itself by making oxygen available to body tissues, or organs, which are not receiving an adequate supply because of illness or trauma.

How does HBOT work and why is it effective
The air we normally breathe contains about 21% oxygen, which is carried throughout our bodies by red blood cells in blood. During HBOT, the 100% oxygen we breathe, combined with higher pressure, delivers up to 15 times the oxygen content to all body fluids, including plasma, cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, lymph, and intracellular fluids. This allows oxygen levels to increase even in areas with blocked or compromised blood supply as a result of injury or illness, as well as in areas of tissue damage.

Increasing tissue oxygen levels produces several important long term therapeutic benefits including enhanced growth of new blood vessels; increased ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria and remove toxins; increased growth of fibroblasts (cells involved in wound healing); and enhanced metabolic activity of previously marginally functioning cells including brain neurons.

Administration of HBOT
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is given in a special chamber which is pressurized with compressed air. At a certain controlled pressure patients breathe 100% oxygen through a mask, hood or endotrachial tube. 4-6 patients can be treated at the same time. A staff nurse is present at all the times with patients inside the chamber while the treatment is monitored from a Control Panel outside the chamber.

Indications of HBOT

UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED
These indications are supported with peer reviewed proof of efficacy

   Wounds
     » Problem, non-healing wounds and ulcers (diabetic, venous etc)
     » Infective wounds - gas gangrene, refractory osteomyelitis, necrotising soft tissue infections
     » Acute traumatic ischemias, crush injuries, compartment syndromes
     » Compromised skin grafts and flaps
     » Thermal burns

   Oncology
     » Late radiation induced tissue damage and complications
     » For preparation of surgery or implant procedures in previously irradiated fields

   Primary Line of Treatment
     » Air or gas embolism
     » Decompression Sickness
     » Carbon Monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation

   Other Indications
     » Acute Sensorineural Hearing Loss
     » Intracranial Abscess
     » Bell's Palsy

RESEARCH INDICATIONS
Role of HBOT in these indications is being studied in international trials

     » HBOT in neurological illnesses - cerebral palsy, stroke, head injury
     » HBOT as a radiosensitiser in Glioblastoma mutiforme and re-irradiation of sqamous cell Carcinoma.

Beneficial effects of HBO
Following are some of the reasons that HBO is gaining acceptance rapidly the world over:§ Safe therapy with very few and minor side effects
     » Addition of HBO obviates the need for frequent surgical procedures, promotes healing and early mobilization of the patient.
     » Reduces length of hospitalization and thereby overall treatment and rehabilitation costs.
     » Only treatment available in some indications.
     » Emerging role in indications which have lifetime disabilities


Department of Hyper Baric Medicine
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar
New Delhi- 110 044
Phone: +(91)-(011)-26925801 / 26925858 Ext.: 2028 / 2029
Fax : +(91)-(011)-6926829
Email: hyperbarics@apollohospdelhi.com


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