Undersea Hyperbar M
-
Undersea Hyperbar M · Jul 2017
Case ReportsDelayed treatment of frostbite with hyperbaric oxygen: a report of two cases.
Frostbite is an injury caused by the freezing of tissue, causing varied levels of tissue damage and necrosis. Case reports have shown a positive effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) in such injuries, in acute cases as well as delayed (up to 21 days) presentation with complications. In this case report we present the course of hyperbaric treatment of two patients (a brother and sister, age 58 and 62) who sustained frostbite injuries to both feet 28 days earlier while hiking in the Himalayas. ⋯ During hyperbaric oxygen therapy 30 sessions) demarcation progressed quickly, resulting in early surgical amputation. Both patients experienced no side effects of HBO₂ treatment. Given that both patients showed a quick progress and demarcation of their wounds, with remarkable tissue preservation in the female patient, we suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be considered in treating frostbite injuries, in acute as well as delayed cases, even four weeks after initial injury.