Treatment of radiation proctitis with hyperbaric oxygen: what is the optimal number of HBO treatments?

AIM

Our objective was to investigate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) in the treatment of radiation proctitis. The current literature was reviewed with regard to the necessary number of HBO treatments.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two patients with proctitis after pelvic irradiation were treated with 40 and 38 HBO treatments, respectively. Hyperbaric oxygenation was delivered at 240 kPa over 90 min.

RESULTS

In one patient, proctosigmoidoscopy showed a significant improvement after 40 HBO sessions. The other patient interrupted therapy after 38 HBO treatments without subjective change. The reported number of HBO sessions for a successful treatment of radiation proctitis ranges from 12 to 90.

CONCLUSION

HBO should be considered before more invasive treatment modalities are performed for radiation proctitis.