As the role of hyperbaric medicine has expanded over the years, so has theunit at Presbyterian Hospital. The team of specialized-trained doctors andnurses recently completed their 50,000th treatment, making it one of thebusiest hyperbaric programs in the Southwest.

"We knew the science was strong for treating acute cases of the Bends andcarbon monoxide poisoning, but theories on how well it would impactwound-healing and other diseases were still being investigated 15 yearsago," medical director Dr. Jeffrey Stone said. "Through the years, studieshave proven time and again that hyperbaric medicine can be an importantpart of a team-approach to treating complex medical cases."

The 1,100-cubic-foot compression chamber uses compressed air at simulated depths of up tosix atmospheres to treat patients with chronic non-healing wounds, diabeticfoot wounds, bone infections, radiation soft-tissue injuries, and failingskin graphs.

Most patients breathe 100 % oxygen while being treated at pressureequivalent to two times normal atmospheric pressure, giving them 10 timesmore oxygen than sea-level air. The gas levels in the patients' blood andorgans undergo all the same physiological changes experienced when deep-seadiving.

During normal healing, cells proliferate and divide, releasing growthfactors. New blood vessels are created, a collagen matrix is formed, andremodeling occurs. Certain medical conditions alter this course and limithealing.

Demand for hyperbaric medicine has increased as diabetes has skyrocketednationally. Non-healing wounds are a common side-effect of diabetes."Thousands of diabetic patients undergo surgical amputation every year as aresult of non-healing wounds," Dr. Stone said. "These amputees face a long,costly rehabilitation, and permanently reduced mobility and independence.Hyperbaric treatments are an important tool in treating diabetic woundsbefore it's too late."

Other conditions can also lead to the development of non-healing wounds,including peripheral vascular disease, arterial or venous ulcers, traumaticinjury, complications following surgery, rheumatoid arthritis, congestiveheart failure, lymphedema and other conditions which compromisecirculation.

The hyperbaric program is a division of Presbyterian's Institute forExercise and Environmental Medicine, which is a joint collaboration with UTSouthwestern Medical Center.