Treatment of diabetic foot infection with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

BackgroundThis study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of the infected diabetic foot.MethodsForty-two patients with 44 infected diabetic feet receiving HBOT were divided into two groups. One group of 21 patients with 21 feet received <10 sessions of HBOT. The other 21 patients with 23 feet received >10 sessions of HBOT.ResultsIn patients who received <10 sessions of HBOT, seven patients achieved satisfactory wound healing. Feet were preserved in 33.3%. In patients with >10 sessions of HBOT, 16 patients with 18 feet achieved good wound healing. Of these patients, 78.3% preserved their feet. This group of patients received an average of 22.8 HBOT treatments.ConclusionsAdjunctive HBOT has a positive effect on wound healing in diabetic foot with infection. The effect of HBOT seems dose dependent because the amputation rate is decreased in patients who receive adequate HBOT.