Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for osteoradionecrosis.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for osteoradionecrosis. Diving Hyperb Med. 2016 Mar;46(1):56-7 Authors: Cooper PD, Smart DR Abstract Dr Sames and colleagues are to be commended on their thought-provoking article about regional variation in hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) provision for oro-facial osteoradionecrosis (ORN) across Australia and New Zealand. The four-fold difference between jurisdictions requires further elucidation. As co-directors of the only comprehensive hyperbaric facility in Tasmania, the state with the highest ORN treatment rate, we believe a number of issues pertaining to the Australian situation warrant further consideration. 1. Disease prevalence Comparisons between regions require consideration of socio-economic conditions. Tasmania has Australia's highest proportion of people living below the poverty line. The increased prevalence of multiple conditions linked to lower socio-economic status (smoking, alcohol, obesity, cardiovascular disease) is reflected in our higher than average age-standardised mortality rates for cancer, diabetes, ischaemic heart disease and stroke. Although lack of a specific ICD-10 code for oro-facial ORN prevents estimation of hospital-based incidence or treatment rates, as the authors rightly point out, it is reasonable to assume that Tasmania's figures will reflect known trends and exceed the national average. 2. Chamber logistics Physical and staffing constraints affect availability of ...
Source: Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: Diving Hyperb Med Source Type: research