Can major amputation rates be decreased in diabetic foot ulcers with hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Abstract

Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used for diabetic foot ulcer since the 1980s, there is little information on its efficacy. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether hyperbaric oxygen can decrease major amputation rates and to determine the predictive factors. A total of 184 consecutive patients were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunct to standard treatment modalities for their diabetic foot ulcer. Of these patients, 115 were completely healed, 31 showed no improvement and 38 underwent amputation. Of the amputations, nine (4.9%) were major amputations (below knee) and 29 were minor. Major amputations were associated with the Wagner grade (p∈