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Does the slow compression technique of hyperbaric oxygen therapy decrease the incidence of middle-ear barotrauma?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2006

D Vahidova ,
P Sen ,
M Papesch ,
M P Zein-Sanchez  and
P H J Mueller
D Vahidova
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery and the, London, UK
P Sen
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery and the, London, UK
M Papesch
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery and the, London, UK
M P Zein-Sanchez
Affiliation:
London Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
P H J Mueller
Affiliation:
London Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
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Abstract

Objective: To note the incidence of middle-ear barotrauma following standard and slow compression during hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The standards used were: (1) less than 40 per cent of the cohort should develop barotraumas, and (2) the incidence of barotrauma following the slow technique should be less than that caused by the standard technique.

Design: Prospective clinical audit.

Material and methods: Forty-two consecutive patients who received either standard compression or slow compression HBOT were included. Pre- and post-treatment otoscopy (graded according to a modified Teed's scale), tympanometry, audiometry and subjective ear complaints were compared between the groups and also compared with the set standard.

Results: Significantly less middle-ear barotrauma was noted when using the slow compression technique compared with the standard compression technique (p < 0.05). The incidence of barotrauma when using standard compression failed to meet the set standard of less than 40 per cent.

Conclusion: The slow compression method of HBOT proved to be both safe and superior to the standard compression technique.

Keywords

Hyperbaric OxygenationBarotraumaMiddle Ear
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 120 , Issue 6 , June 2006 , pp. 446 - 449
Copyright
© 2006 JLO (1984) Limited

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