HYPERBARIC THERAPY FOR SKIN GRAFTS AND FLAPS

Course overview

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY HAS SHOWN PROMISE IN SALVAGING FLAPS IN TISSUE THAT HAS BEEN IRRADIATED OR IN AREAS WHERE THERE IS DECREASED TISSUE PERFUSION OR HYPOXIA. HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY CAN POTENTIALLY INCREASE TISSUE VIABILITY AND THUS DECREASE THE NEED FOR REPEAT PROCEDURES. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND TECHNIQUES INVOLVED IN UTILIZING HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY FOR SKIN GRAFTS AND FLAPS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH SKIN GRAFTS AND FLAPS.