Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on oedema formation after a scald burn.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been advocated as an adjuvant in the therapy of thermal burns. One of the positive effects was reported to be a decrease in fluid requirements. The effect of HBO on oedema formation was evaluated in the burned area and in distant areas. Fifty-four mice were used in a standardized scald burn model, burning their left ear. Biopsies were taken from the left and right ear and from the quadriceps muscle 2, 6 and 24 hours after burn. Half of the group was treated with HBO immediately after burn. In the burned HBO treated group the oedema of the burned ear was not significantly different from that of burned untreated mice. With HBO treatment the water content in the contralateral ear was significantly (P less than 0.01) lower and in these animals the water content of the contralateral uninjured ear was not significantly different from that of uninjured untreated animals. In the burned HBO treated animals there was a significantly (P less than 0.05) lower water content of the quadriceps muscle 2 and 24 hours after burn compared to the burned untreated animals. This experimental study indicates a significant reduction of the general post-burn oedema with a HBO treatment.