Efficacy of topical hyperbaric oxygen for refractory foot ulcer

Topical hyperbaric oxygen (topical HBO), used for moderate acute and chronic open wounds, is one of several strategies utilized to accelerate the healing process. We used topical HBO with a polyethylene bag filled with oxygen and monitored the oxygen concentration in the bag during the treatment. We also tried to treat two cases of severe refractory foot ulcer with this method, as an alternative to flap surgery or amputation. The result was that the oxygen concentration level has became 90% after 15 min and the level was kept over 90% after this time. The infection healed within 3 weeks and the ulcers were closed in both cases successfully. If topical HBO can be enhanced, the epithelialization may be beneficial not only as a useful treatment for severe ulcers, but also as a device in the field of tissue engineering.