Results of Chronic Osteomyelitis of the Femur Treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen: A Preliminary Report

The goals of treatment for chronic osteomyelitisare to eradicate the infection and maintain opti-mum physiologic function of the affected area. This imposes a challenge to orthopedic surgeons because of the high recurrence rate, expensive medical costs, and prolonged disability. Adequate surgical debride-ment, antibiotic treatment, and soft tissue reconstruc-tion are the mainstay for treatment.(1,2) However, optimal results are not always achievable. The recurrence rate was reported as high as 20 to 30% even with aggressive medical and surgical treat-ment.(2,3) One study from Mayo Clinic in 1983, reported an extraordinarily high recurrence of 61.5% with mixed aerobic and anaerobic osteomyelitis.(3) Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has been used for chronic refractory osteomyelitis sinc