Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1992; 05(01): 31-39
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1633141
Clinical Report
Schattauer GmbH

Clinical Review of the Mechanism and Applications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Small Animal Surgery

Giselle Hosgood
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Louisiana, USA
,
Sharon C. Kerwin
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Louisiana, USA
,
D. D. Lewis
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Louisiana, USA
,
G. S. Strain
2   Department of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
,
Cheryl S. Hedlund
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Louisiana, USA
,
A. D. Elkins
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the Louisiana, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received for publication: 12 March 1991

Publication Date:
06 February 2018 (online)

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Summary

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has shown benefits both experimentally and clinically in human disease associated with vascular compromise and reduced host defenses. Potential benefits include the stimulation of leucocyte and macrophage function, increased oxygen availability for cellular function, stimulation of wound healing, and direct antibacterial effects. Similar applications may exist in veterinary medicine. This study documents 14 consecutive animals treated with hyperbaric oxygen, as an adjunct to standard therapy, for degloving injuries and/or skin grafts (n = 6), severe trauma (n = 3), compromised wound healing (n = 3), osteomyelitis (n = 1), and for anaerobic infection (n = 1). Subjectively, recovery was improved in these animals. If available, hyperbaric oxygen therapy deserves consideration as an adjunct to standard therapy for certain disorders.

The potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy are discussed in the light of a study of 14 cases.