Pearls in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Challenging Case Series

Abstract

Introduction. Providers involved in treating patients who would benefit from HBOT need to be knowledgeable about the absolute and relative contraindications to HBOT. Objective. This case series evaluates several challenging clinical scenarios in which HBOT was administered. Patients who may benefit from HBOT can present with relative contraindications, and it is the responsibility of the members of the health care team to know what additional information may be required to determine if the patient can safely undergo HBOT. However, such information is sparse in some cases. Materials and Methods. Nine patients underwent HBOT to manage diverse presentations, some for which there was no or scant published information on the potential interaction between in situ devices and HBOT. Results. All patients demonstrated clinical improvement, and there were no adverse events. Conclusion. Providers may encounter uncommon or unique situations when considering whether or not to administer HBOT, and it may be necessary to consult with others (eg, experts in other specialties, device manufacturers or vendors) to provide optimal patient care.