Wounds are characterized by the area of tissue damage with poor circulation and reduced oxygen supply (ischemia and hypoxia). Usual complication is inflammation and infection that can reach through all the layers down to the bone (osteomyelitis). Research has shown that breathing and absorbing pure oxygen at increased pressures will facilitate wound healing and increase the body’s ability to fight infections.

Combined approach

The foundation for BaroMedical’s wound care program is a combination of advanced and effective wound dressing materials, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and electrical stimulation to create ideal conditions for wound healing and tissue repair.
Increasing the oxygen concentration in the body will start the growth of new blood vesselsfor better microcirculation, it will decrease inflammation and swelling, eliminate bacteria and provide oxygen for the body’s immune defense response. Electrical stimulation will further promote the circulation of superoxygenated blood deeper in the wounded area and combined effect is magnified.
Oxygen initiates healing from within the body by mobilizing the growth factors and preparing the wound bed for the right combination of topical wound therapy. Many of the chronic wounds are simply locked in a state of poor oxygen level, poor local circulation and increased local bacterial load and wound dressings are simply not penetrating deep enough to start the healing.
Once the oxygen therapy has cleaned the wound surface from the bacterial load and prepared the wound bed the full potential of advanced wound dressings can be utilized. Clinical studies show that the combined effect of hyperbaric oxygen with woundcare therapy is more succesfull than the effect of each therapy on its own.

Combining advanced wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Proactive wound care
Proactive wound care is the timely application of appropriate wound care therapy and prevention methods.
Early detection of microcirculation damage is crucial as well as commencement of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to obtain the most effective health care management.
We continuously scan for scientific advancements in wound care and select products according to the following criteria:

Advanced wound care for chronic wound healing

• Reduce the need for surgical debridment
• Reducing pain and the need for pain medication
• Gently removing necrotic tissue
• Promoting faster formation of granulation tissue and re-epithelization
• Providing soft and moist environment for more effective healing
• Easy application and removal, without the disruption of the newly formed granulation tissue
• Comfortable to wear
• Can be changed only once a week, which reduces the time and cost of dressing

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO)
Oxygen initiates healing from within the body by mobilizing the growth factors and preparing the wound bed for the right combination of topical wound therapy.
Many chronic wounds are simply locked in a state of poor oxygen level, poor local circulation and increased local bacterial load. Regular wound dressings are simply not penetrating deep enough to start the healing.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wound healing

• HBO increases oxygen transport to wound area stopping further tissue damage
• HBO facilitates growth of new capillaries (angiogenesis) promoting the microcirculation
• HBO speeds up wound healing by reducing inflammation and swelling
• HBO relieves pain
• HBO reduces infection by eliminating bacteria directly and increasing capacity of white blood cell to fight infection
• HBO improves microcirculation and elimination of toxins in the blood
• HBO enhances the effect of some antibiotics
• HBO stimulates release of stem cells from the bone marrow
• HBO decreases blood viscosity and risk of thrombosis and stroke
• HBO improves lymphatic circulation
• HBO improves bone density and mineralization and speeds up bone healing
• HBO enhances peripheral nerve regeneration for improved sensitivity
• HBO prepares tissue and bone for grafting before surgery
• HBO speeds up healing after surgery and improves chances of graft survival

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Case report: Diabetic foot ulcer

Diabetic foot gangrene is a leading cause of amputations. Insufficient microcirculation and infection turn the chronic wound into gangrene. Early hyperbaric oxygen can stop the tissue necrosis and prevent amputation.

Diabetic foot ulcer

Male: 55 years, non smoker.

Left foot had partial amputation 3 months earlier due to similar ulcer.

Right foot with open wounds had both oxygen and blood flow reduced to 30%.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy:

Nine sessions over two weeks provided return of blood flow and oxygen for normal wound healing.

Photo shows complete wound closure after 4 months.

Case report: Arterial leg ulcer

“I had an open, painful, smelly leg ulcer for two years and had a woundcare nurse visit twice a week. She suggested oxygen therapy which helped tremendously in pain, infection and wound healing. I do not need home visits and my quality of life has greatly improved.”

C.W.J. West Vancouver, 2001

Female: 68 years. Oxygen and blood flow are at 55% of normal and bone is infected. Notice swelling, inflammation and damage of periwound skin.

Hyperbaric oxygen and daily wound care for 2 months resulted in return of normal blood flow and pain relief. Wound successfully covered with skin graft.