Hyperbaric oxygen treatment in Saudi Arabia

Objective : A review of the first 12 months' experience with a medical hyperbaric chamber. Design : A retrospective study of patients' medical charts. Setting, Subjects and Intervention : Patients referred to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre's Medical Hyperbaric Service with defined medical and surgical conditions in which hyperbaric oxygen treatment was considered to be adjunctive or definitive therapy. Outcome Measures : The response of each patient's condition was assessed after hyperbaric oxygen treatment, as being completely successful, partially successful, or to have failed. Results : A complete/partial response was seen in 71/92 (77%) patients. Middle ear discomfort necessitating myringotomy occurred in 16/92 patients (17%). Conclusion : Hyperbaric oxygen treatment appears to be a useful adjunctive therapy in the majority of patients with indications for treatment. It appears to be cost-effective particularly in patients with osteoradionecrosis.