ABSTRACT
The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on second degree bum wound healing of the forearm. Thirty patients included in this study [eighteen males and twelve females]. All were suffering from deep second degree flame bum in the forearm, their age ranged from thirty to forty years. The total burned surface area was 15- 25%. They were randomly classified into two equal groups. The first group [15 patients] treated by the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy [HBOT] plus traditional conservative treatment, while the second group, sea level air-breathing equivelent control group 15 patients received placebo HBOT plus traditional conservative treatment. Assessment of the wound surface area was performed before starting the study and after 15 days by using the metric graph paper and computerized planimetry linked to summagraphic digitizer system .Procedure started 48 hrs post bum. The program was conducted at Naser Institute; oxygen was supplied 100% O[2] at 2.4 Atmospheric Absolute [ATA] for two hours during each treatment period. Treatment was given on four consecutive days each week for two weeks. The results of this study showed significant decrease of the wound surface area in the treatment group [43.6%] than the control group [18.91 %], reflecting efficacy of HBOT in healing process. It was concluded that, HBOT seems effective in accelerating the healing rate and shortening of hospitalization time on second degree bum wound of the forearm