Randomised phase II trial of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with chronic arm lymphoedema after radiotherapy for cancer.

Background: A non-randomised phase II study suggested a therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on arm lymphoedema following adjuvant radiotherapy for early breast cancer, justifying further investigation in a randomised trial.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with ≥ 15% increase in arm volume after supraclavicular ± axillary radiotherapy (axillary surgery in 52/58 patients) were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to HBO (n=38) or to best standard care (n=20). The HBO group breathed 100% oxygen at 2.

Chronic regional pain syndrome after subtalar arthrodesis is not prevented by early hyperbaric oxygen.

Subtalar arthrodesis was performed on a 48-year-old, non-insulin-dependent diabetic with a history of chronic ankle instability and lateral ankle pain. In the early post-operative period he presented as an emergency with an infection at the operative site. This was treated with 2 returns to the operating theatre for washout and debridement.

Hematocrit change in tropical scuba divers.

Objective: Direct evidence that dehydration results from scuba diving is scanty. Increased hematocrit (Ht) is a commonly used proxy measure for dehydration. This study sought evidence that an increase in Ht occurs over the course of a scuba dive in tropical conditions.

A single exposure to hyperbaric oxygen does not cause oxidative stress in isolated platelets: no effect on superoxide dismutase, catalase, or cellular ATP.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate whether a single hyperbaric oxygen exposure causes oxidative stress in isolated platelets.

Design And Methods: Isolated horse platelets were exposed to 100% oxygen at 2.2 atmospheres, or 100% oxygen under normobaric conditions, or air under normobaric conditions for 90 min.