A Deep Dive into the Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Enhancing Burn Wound Healing

Burn injuries are a significant cause of admissions to burn and plastic surgery units. One treatment modality for burn injury patients is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT exposes patients to high concentrations of oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure levels. It can enhance burn wound healing by promoting cellular response, inflammatory cytokines, neovascularization, and collagen formation. This review explores the role of HBOT in enhancing burn wound healing, particularly in plastic surgery. We gathered and analyzed information from various web databases, using specific keywords related to burn wound injuries and HBOT. Inclusion criteria encompassed open-access journals and articles relevant to the subject matter. This review revealed that despite some controversial findings and the absence of treatment guidelines for burn patients, HBOT can complement other modalities. Side effects may include neurological and ophthalmic toxicity, as well as mild effects such as nausea and gastrointestinal disturbance. In conclusion, HBOT serves as an adjunctive therapy for promoting wound healing, including in burn patients. Evidence suggests its effectiveness in plastic surgery, potentially reducing hospital stays, costs, and recovery times. Further prospective randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and blinding are necessary to address remaining controversies and evaluate the full benefits of HBOT.