Effect of bladder hydrodistension combined with hyperbaric oxygen on interstitial cystitis

Objective To investigate the mechanism of bladder hydrodistension and combined with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in the treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC) and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy. Methods Twenty-three confirmed IC patients were treated with bladder hydrodistension plus HBO therapy. Results Two IC patients abandoned the therapy, due to intolerance to HBO pressure, the remaining 21 patients all completed the prescheduled therapy. As compared with those before therapy, statistical significance could be noticed in the scores of interstitial cystitis symptom index (ICSI), maximum urine volume, visual analogue scale (VAS), 24-hour urination and quality of life (QOL), following 3 and 6 months of treatment respectively. Interestingly, the therapeutic efficacy after 3 months of treatment was more prominent(P<0.05) Conclusions Bladder hydrodistention combined with HBO therapy was a safe and effective treatment method for IC. However, its long term effect remained to be seen. Key words: Interstitial cystitis; Hydrodistension; Hyperbaric oxygen