Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as an adjunctive therapy in the management of Thermal Burn

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Thermal Burn is the most common type of burn worldwide. Resulting complications are numerous and difficult to manage, leading population to increased morbidity and mortality. A useful tool in the clinical management of burn disease as an adjuvant treatment is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), as it contributes the oxygenation of traumatic surfaces and the promotion of the healing mechanism.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of Thermal Burn.

Method: A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library and Open Archives databases for the years 2010-2022 was performed. Criteria for the introduction of an article in the study were the English or Greek language of writing and to be a primary study in human patients (adults and children) with thermal burn.

Results: 6 primary studies were included in the present study. All studies concluded that HBOT has beneficial effects on various parameters in the management of Thermal Burn, but statistically significant results are poor and more research is needed to be a strong indication.

Conclusions: HBOT appears to improve the healing of traumatic burn surfaces and reduce complications arising from Burn Disease, but there is no strong evidence for these results.

Keywords: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen, Thermal Burns, Inhalation thermal injury