Radiation effects in head and neck and role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy: An adjunct to management

Abstract

Background: Radiotherapy is considered an essential treatment modality in cancers, especially head and neck cancers. Radiotherapy can be given as a definitive, supportive, or adjuvant therapy for various cancers. Radiation damage is an avoidable complication in many patients, after or during radiotherapy. It may be either dose-related, duration-related, or frequency-related. The effects of radiation damage are mainly caused by ischemic necrosis, and once settled it is difficult to manage due to the low vascularity of the affected area. Aim: To find out the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the management of radiation damage in the head and neck region. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data of patients attending the HBOT clinic for postradiotherapy changes were recorded in an Excel sheet and analyzed in this study. Statistical analysis was done. Result: Our study showed that HBOT is effective in postradiation trismus, xerostomia, discharge, foul smell, discharging sinus, etc., However, it was not found to be significant in the closure of fistula with exposed bone. Conclusion: HBOT is an effective adjunct modality for the management of postradiation changes in the head and neck region.