Decreases neutrophile adhesion in the ischemic-reperfused tissue. Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections Hyperbaric oxygen is used as an adjunct to surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. Limited clinical trials have indicated reduced mortality, and a reduction in the need for repeated debridements when hyperbaric oxygen is added to surgical and medical management. Further improved leukocyte activity and synergism with certain antibiotics tends to reduce morbidity. Gas gangrene is caused by the anaerobic organism Clostridium perfringens, which thrives in tissues with low oxygen tension.
Increases tissue oxygen, thus reversing the hypoxic environment and restoring tissue oxygenation.
Inhibits alpha toxin production upon attaining a tissue oxygen tension greater than 250 mmHg. The destruction process is halted since the alpha toxin is tissue fixed and detoxified within 2 hours of elaboration. The adjunctive use of HBOT therapy usually decreases the extent of radical surgical procedures. Based upon laboratory and clinical studies of osteoradionecrosis, the use of hyperbaric oxygen has been extended to late radiation change in soft tissue, where similar pathophysiology, therapeutic and cost saving responses are reported. In radiation necrosis, the basic pathologic process is a progressive proliferative endarteritis resulting in hypovascular, hypocellular, and hypoxic tissue, with the subsequent development of soft tissue breakdown and non-viable bone.