Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy : A Treatment Modality For Avascular Necrosis Of Maxilla- A Clinical Review.

Oxygen has a vital role in regulating the normal body metabolism and is essential for all tissues. It enhances the vascularity of cells and increases their multiplication there by contributing significantly in wound healing. It is known to enhance the oxygenation of tissues along with having anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Oxygen can also intensify the mechanisms involving tissue repair. HBOT (Hyperbaric oxygen therapy) is defined as a treatment modality where the patient is given 100% oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber through intermittent inhalation at a pressure higher than 1 absolute atmosphere for a specified period. The mechanism of action of HBOT is basically by increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the body drastically. This causes the oxygen levels in the plasma to increase and leads to better oxygen delivery. The growth of new blood vessels are encouraged and tissue homeostasis is restored. The function of white blood cells are enhanced along with the overall anti-bacterial effect. The aim of writing of this article is to clinically analyse the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy during a complication post orthognathic surgery with a case discussion.