Is There an Association Between Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Improved Outcome of Deep Chemical Peeling? A Randomized Pilot Clinical Study

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a Renewed Hope for Ischemic Craniomaxillofacial Diseases

Although the advancements in craniomaxillofacial surgery have been significant, ischemic craniomaxillofacial diseases remain challenging to treat due to insufficient blood supply. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment, exhibiting the potential to promote angiogenesis, exert anti-inflammatory effects, enhance bone regeneration, and possess antibacterial properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated its efficacy in stimulating healing processes, particularly in cases such as medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, osteoradionecrosis, chronic jaw osteomyelitis, and refractory wounds. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy not only accelerates healing and shortens recovery times but also reduces postoperative complications, infection risks, and enhances patients' overall quality of life. This review aims to synthesize the research progress on the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in ischemic craniomaxillofacial diseases, providing a valuable reference for clinicians.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Aesthetic Medicine and Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Continued interest in the optimization of recovery in aesthetics has led to the exploration of adjunctive therapies. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) serves as one such therapy that may have an impact in this field. HBOT is hypothesized to improve ischemia, reduce swelling, and minimize secondary hypoxic tissue damage. Its application in aesthetic procedures aims to improve healing, reduce downtime, and enhance the overall quality of outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed, searching the PubMed database. The protocol was developed following the Preferred Reporting for Items for Systematic Reviews-Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. Included studies evaluated the use of HBOT in aesthetic surgery, medicine, and longevity and anti-aging. Selected studies matched predetermined criteria according to the employed intervention and outcomes.

RESULTS

The systematic review was performed in April 2024, with the primary search yielding 591 articles. Abstract review resulted in 53 articles of potential relevance. Comprehensive review of the articles and manual reference checks was performed, independently, by two authors. This yielded a total of 15 articles meeting inclusion criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

HBOT may serve a valuable adjunct in aesthetic surgery, medicine, and anti-aging. However, the evidence to support its use, and justify its cost, is limited. This review serves as an update, capturing the currently available literature on HBOTs use in aesthetics, and provides the first discussion of HBOTs role in anti-aging. It underscores the need for future large-scale, randomized trials with standardization of HBOT protocols being employed to allow for full assessment of HBOTs utility in this clinical space.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Therapeutic Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen in the Process of Wound Healing

Chronic and non-healing wounds, especially diabetic foot ulcers and radiation injuries, imply remarkable morbidity with a significant effect on the quality of life and a high sanitary cost. The management of these wounds requires complex actions such as surgical debris, antibiotic treatment, dressings and even revascularization. These wounds are characterized by poor oxygen supply resulting in inadequate oxygenation of the affected tissue. The adjuvant treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may increase tissue oxygenation favoring the healing of wounds which do not respond to the usual clinical care. The increase in the partial pressure of oxygen contributes to cover the energy demands necessary for the healing process and reduces the incidence of infections. Moreover, the increase in oxygen leads to the production of reactive species with hormetic activity, acting on signaling pathways that modulate the synthesis of inflammation mediators, antioxidants and growth factors which can contribute to the healing process. Studies performed with cell cultures and in animal models seem to demonstrate the beneficial effects of HBOT. However, clinical trials do not show such conclusive results; thus, additional randomized placebo-controlled studies are necessary to determine the real efficacy of HBOT and the mechanism of action for various types of wounds.