Principles of Hyperbaric Medicine at Princess Haya Hospital (HBOT)

Abstract

Introduction: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a technology that has been in use for more than 40 years. Because of its wide applications it's called a therapy in search of disease. Most physicians and nurses lack good knowledge of HBOT. The aim of this article was to review the experience in HBOT at Princess Haya Hospital and describe patient's characteristics, indications and protocols used.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study that included all patients treated in HBOT department at Princess Haya Hospital in the period from 1995 to 2013.Data analyzed using SPSS v16 and STATA v11 software's.

Results: 787 patients included, 5% of them were children. The most common indications were diabetic foot in adults (47%), and cerebral palsy in children (60%). Number of sessions ranged from 1 to 63(mean 11.7). The most used treatment protocol was giving oxygen for 90 minutes at 18-meter depth (14) for all indications except diving accidents (in which treatment was the most common).

Conclusion: Although indications for HBOT are expanding, many of them lack sufficient scientific evidence. Well-designed Randomized Controlled Trials are needed in the era of evidence-based medicine.