Retrospective analysis of the effect of vaporous hyperoxia therapy as an adjunct to standard wound care in chronic wounds.

Abstract

Background: Considering the rising incidence and cost associated with chronic wounds, further investigation of safe and effective treatments is needed.

Objective: To conduct a retrospective analysis of patients with chronic wounds in order to evaluate the healing effect of vaporous hyperoxia therapy (VHT) used adjunctively with standard wound care.

Materials and methods: The data of patients with chronic wounds (≥4 weeks' duration) who received commercial treatment with VHT between February 28, 2020, and August 30, 2022, were reviewed. After debridement (as appropriate), the limb was placed in the treatment chamber, and a 56-minute treatment of alternating cycles of a low-frequency, noncontact, nonthermal ultrasonic mist and concentrated oxygen therapy was administered twice weekly. Wounds were offloaded and dressed appropriately. The number of wounds healed at 16 weeks, percentage area reduction (PAR), and percentage volume reduction (PVR) were analyzed, and Kaplan-Meier time to heal analysis was performed.

Results: Forty patients with 53 wounds were evaluated. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) comorbidity count per patient was 4.6 (2.5). At 16 weeks, 33 wounds healed (62%), and 40 wounds healed at 1 year, including 35 of 47 diabetic foot ulcers (74%). Five patients treated with VHT and fewer than 5 cellular and/or tissue-based products (CTPs) achieved healing. The mean healing time was 14.5 weeks (95% confidence interval, 9.9-18.1). The mean (SD) PAR and PVR over 16 weeks were 69% (156.7%) and 82% (70.3%), respectively.

Conclusion: This real-world analysis demonstrates that VHT healed most chronic wounds within 14 weeks. In addition, VHT appears to accelerate healing in wounds that are also treated with CTPs.