Role Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Research Articles

Is there a Role for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Pediatric Infectious Diseases Practice?

Is there a Role for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Pediatric Infectious Diseases Practice?

The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Neuroregeneration and Neuroprotection: A Review.

Neurogenesis is a high energy-demanding process, which is why blood vessels are an active part of the neurogenic nichesince they allow the much-needed oxygenation of progenitor cells. In this regard, although neglected for a long time, the "oxygen niche" should be considered an important intervenient in adult neurogenesis. One possible hypothesis for the failure of numerous neuroprotective trials is that they relied on compounds that target a highly specific neuroprotective pathway. This approach may be too limited, given the complexity of the processes that lead to cell death. Therefore, research should adopt a more multifactorial approach. Among the limited range of agents with multimodal neuromodulatory capabilities, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing secondary brain damage in various brain injury models. This therapy functions not only as a neuroprotective mechanism but also as a powerful neuroregenerative mechanism.

Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern. Standard care involves conservative management and pharmacological and surgical interventions. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has emerged as a potential treatment for TBI, with varied findings in the literature. Our systematic review aims to comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of HBOT in TBI management, addressing existing knowledge gaps and providing insights for clinical practice and future research. Methods A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Central Cochrane Registry of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library), and ScienceDirect databases for the role of HBOT in TBI. We included studies involving randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Quasi-randomized controlled studies, prospective, retrospective observational studies, case series, case reports, letters, editorials, comments, animal studies, and studies from non-English literature were excluded. Results After identifying 306 articles, we narrowed it to 8 for qualitative synthesis. The studies were categorized into subgroups: those on patients with an acute history of cerebral injury and those with a history of mild TBI. The combined RCTs involved 651 patients (326 in the first subgroup, 325 in the second). Despite a uniform HBOT session duration of 60 minutes, variations in compression, decompression phases, and pressure used (1.5ATA to 2.5ATA) hindered meta-analysis comparability. Outcome measures differed, complicating comparisons. Overall, HBOT appears beneficial in the first group and less so in the second. Complications are primarily pulmonary, which include dyspnea, cyanosis, hyperoxic pneumonia, and increased fraction of inspired oxygen requirement. Conclusion Our study encountered challenges in reaching definitive conclusions due to outcome variability among the included studies. Despite mixed results, HBOT shows potential benefits for acute TBI patients. Conversely, our findings suggest the limited efficacy of HBOT for chronic traumatic brain injury patients. Further research is crucial, particularly exploring diverse HBOT treatment protocols to establish optimal pressure levels and the required number of sessions for effective outcomes

A Deep Dive into the Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Enhancing Burn Wound Healing

Burn injuries are a significant cause of admissions to burn and plastic surgery units. One treatment modality for burn injury patients is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT exposes patients to high concentrations of oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure levels. It can enhance burn wound healing by promoting cellular response, inflammatory cytokines, neovascularization, and collagen formation. This review explores the role of HBOT in enhancing burn wound healing, particularly in plastic surgery. We gathered and analyzed information from various web databases, using specific keywords related to burn wound injuries and HBOT. Inclusion criteria encompassed open-access journals and articles relevant to the subject matter. This review revealed that despite some controversial findings and the absence of treatment guidelines for burn patients, HBOT can complement other modalities. Side effects may include neurological and ophthalmic toxicity, as well as mild effects such as nausea and gastrointestinal disturbance. In conclusion, HBOT serves as an adjunctive therapy for promoting wound healing, including in burn patients. Evidence suggests its effectiveness in plastic surgery, potentially reducing hospital stays, costs, and recovery times. Further prospective randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and blinding are necessary to address remaining controversies and evaluate the full benefits of HBOT.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in head and neck cancer patients with radiation induced dysphagia-a systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with dysphagia after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for relevant studies until March 14, 2023. No restriction on language or publication date. The criteria for inclusion: patients with HNC who had received both radiation therapy and HBOT as 1) a preventive treatment against swallowing difficulties, 2) to preserve swallowing function, or 3) to promote swallowing difficulties. We identified 1396 records. After removal of 31 duplicates, 1365 records were accessible for title and abstract screening. This yielded 53 studies for full text assessment. Six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included for qualitative analysis. Evidence of HBOT benefits in patients with dysphagia after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer is inconsistent. Well-designed studies using validated outcome measures and long-term follow-up are warranted.

Contemporary national outcomes of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in necrotizing soft tissue infections.

The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) is mainly based on small retrospective studies. A previous study using the 1998-2009 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) found HBOT to be associated with decreased mortality in NSTI. Given the argument of advancements in critical care, we aimed to investigate the continued role of HBOT in NSTI. The 2012-2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for NSTI admissions who received surgery. 60,481 patients between 2012-2020 were included, 600 (<1%) underwent HBOT. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included amputation, hospital length of stay, and costs. A multivariate model was constructed to account for baseline differences in groups. Age, gender, and comorbidities were similar between the two groups. On bivariate comparison, the HBOT group had lower mortality rate (<2% vs 5.9%, p<0.001) and lower amputation rate (11.8% vs 18.3%, p<0.001) however, longer lengths of stay (16.9 days vs 14.6 days, p<0.001) and higher costs ($54,000 vs $46,000, p<0.001). After multivariate analysis, HBOT was associated with decreased mortality (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.22, 95% CI 0.09-0.53, P<0.001) and lower risk of amputation (AOR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.96, P = 0.03). HBO was associated with longer stays by 1.6 days (95% CI 0.4-2.7 days) and increased costs by $7,800 (95% CI $2,200-$13,300), they also had significantly lower risks of non-home discharges (AOR 0.79, 95%CI 0.65-0.96). After correction for differences, HBOT was associated with decreased mortality, amputations, and non-home discharges in NSTI with the tradeoff of increase to costs and length of stay.

The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as acute hearing loss of &gt;30 dB at three consecutive frequencies, with an abrupt onset (within 3 days). In most patients with SSNHL, an exact cause is rarely identified. Diverse etiological theories have been proposed, including vascular disease, viral infection, autoimmune disease, inner ear hydrops, and genetic factors. Based on these hypotheses, various treatments have been tried, including corticosteroids (systemic and/or intratympanic), antivirals, vasoactive drugs, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), but the evidence remains inconclusive. The 2019 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery guideline had suggested that HBOT can be provided as either initial or salvage treatment when combined with steroid therapy. HBOT, a noninvasive treatment involving the inhalation of 100% oxygen at a pressure of &gt;1 atmosphere absolute (ATA) is another treatment option as a method to improve oxygen supply after cochlear damage. Although the pressure, frequency, and total time of HBOT remain variable among different studies, a protocol of 2.0-2.5 ATA and 10-20 sessions in total are commonly used. The treatment strategies for SSNHL have been evolving, and recent attempts involved increasing the effectiveness through various combinations of systemic steroid, intratympanic steroid, and HBOT. In this review, we will review various studies about HBOT and discuss the efficacy of HBOT in SSNHL.

Quality of evidence supporting the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for diabetic foot ulcers.

The goal of this overview of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) was to methodically gather, evaluate and summarize the data supporting the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to treat diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were all searched thoroughly to identify SRs/MAs that qualified. AMSTAR-2 tool, PRISMA checklists and GRADE system were applied by two reviewers independently to assess the methodological quality, reporting and evidence quality of the included SRs/MAs, respectively. Eleven SRs/MAs were enrolled in this overview. According to AMSTAR-2, a very low methodological quality assessment was given to the included SRs/MAs due to the limitations of items 2, 4 and 7. For the PRISMA, the overall quality of reporting is not satisfactory due to missing reporting on protocol, search, as well as additional analysis. The majority of outcomes had low- to moderate-quality evidence, and no high-quality evidence was found to support the role of HBOT for DFUs, according to GRADE. To conclude, the potential of HBOT in treating DFUs is supported by evidence of low to moderate quality. More rigorously designed, high-level studies are needed in the future to determine the evidence for HBOT for DFU, including the timing, frequency and duration of HBOT interventions.

Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen in Treatment of Invasive Fungal Sinusitis

Abstract Background Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunodeficient individuals (such as AIDS patients) and in transplant recipients or tumor patients undergoing immunosuppressive chemotherapy. The most widely accepted therapy is the multimodal approach of using intravenous (IV) anti-fungal therapy in combination with sinus debridement, and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) for the management of invasive fungal sinusitis. HBO has an important role in management of those patients; there is a significant survival benefit with adjunctive HBO use, as HBO has a fungistatic effect, decrease growth rate of fungus, and decrease the morbidity. Objective to assess the use of Hyperbaric oxygen in treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis and evaluate its efficacy as HBO has a fungistatic effect, decrease growth rate of fungus, and decrease the morbidity. Patients and Methods The pertinent role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis has been popularized over the past decade, to approve the important role of HBOT we established our systematic review which include 15 studies and 98 patients. Results We assess the beneficial effect of adding HBOT in the protocol treatment of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, which illustrate the favorable results supporting adding HBOT, as survival rate among patients treated with HBOT 66% against 42% survival rate among patients treated without HBOT. Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an attractive option in treatment of invasive fungal rhinosiusitis as an adjunctive therapy.

The Potential Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Psoriasis Treatment: A Review of PI3K/AKT/FOXO Signaling Cascade and Interleukin-1β

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder that affects 2-3% of the population worldwide. Current therapies, including biologic agents, often have adverse effects and incomplete efficacy. Recent studies suggest that the PI3K/AKT/FOXO signalling cascade and interleukin-1 β play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a safe and well-tolerated procedure, has been suggested as a potential treatment for psoriasis due to its ability to increase tissue oxygenation and reduce inflammation. This review article summarizes the current understanding of the pathophysiology of psoriasis and the potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a treatment modality. The authors suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may modulate the PI3K/AKT/FOXO signalling cascade, reduce interleukin-1 β levels, and improve skin oxygenation, leading to the attenuation of psoriatic plaques. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in psoriasis treatment.

The Potential Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Psoriasis Treatment: A Review of PI3K/AKT/FOXO Signaling Cascade and Interleukin-1β

The Potential Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Psoriasis Treatment: A Review of PI3K/AKT/FOXO Signaling Cascade and Interleukin-1β

The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of Surgical Site Infections: A Narrative Review.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most prevalent postoperative complications, with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the past half century, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), the administration of 100% oxygen intermittently under a certain pressure, has been used as either a primary or alternative therapy for the management or treatment of chronic wounds and infections. This narrative review aims to gather information and evidence supporting the role of HBOT in the treatment of SSIs. We followed the Scale for the Quality Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) guidelines and scrutinized the most relevant studies identified in Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science. Our review indicated that HBOT can result in rapid healing and epithelialization of various wounds and has potential beneficial effects in the treatment of SSIs or other similar infections following cardiac, neuromuscular scoliosis, coronary artery bypass, and urogenital surgeries. Moreover, it was a safe therapeutic procedure in most cases. The mechanisms related to the antimicrobial activity of HBOT include direct bactericidal effects through the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the immunomodulatory effect of HBOT that increase the antimicrobial effects of the immune system, and the synergistic effects of HBOT with antibiotics. We emphasized the essential need for further studies, especially randomized clinical trials and longitudinal studies, to better standardize HBOT procedures as well as to determine its full benefits and possible side effects.

Improvement in mortality with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in cervical necrotising fasciitis: a systematic review of the literature

Background: Cervical necrotising fasciitis (CNF) is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection with poor prognosis and high mortality. The mainstay of treatment is early debridement and broad-spectrum antibiotics, however the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an adjuvant treatment is debated. We performed a systematic review of the literature encompassing all patients with CNF who underwent HBOT. review the use of HBOT in patients diagnosed with CNF to provide novel descriptive data and to review the overall influence this has on prognosis.

Role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in PDGF-BB-mediated astrogliosis in traumatic brain injury rats associated with ERK1/2 signaling pathway inhibition

BackgroundHyperbaric oxygen (HBO) plays positive roles in the therapy of traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, the mechanism underlying its effects on TBI is largely unknown. The study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism implicated with the interaction between platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway, which may play critical roles during HBO treatment both in the astrocyte scratching model in vitro and rat TBI model in vivo.MethodsChanges in neurological function and wound healing were evaluated using the neurological severity scores (NSS) scale, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and qRT-PCR, respectively.ResultsThe results showed that PDGF-BBi (PDGB interfered with small RNA) dramatically improves neuronal viability in vitro when transfected into the scratched astrocytes derived from the cerebral cortex of neonatal rats. Moreover, in vivo experiments revealed that HBO therapy substantially elevated the NSS scores and simultaneously reduced the mortality in TBI rats, as indicated by the NSS scales. Notably, HBO therapy was found to possess the ability to inhibit glial cell proliferation, promote the regeneration of neurons and synapses, and ultimately facilitate the wound healing, as revealed by immunohistochemistry and glial scar formation found in TBI rats. Importantly, HBO markedly decreased the expression levels of PDGF-BB and ERK1/2. It can clearly be seen that downregulated PDGF-BB and ERK1/2 levels were corresponding with the status of significant amelioration of the therapeutic effect of HBO. Conversely, the upregulation of PDGF-BB and ERK1/2 levels was in line with the opposite effect.ConclusionIt has been concluded that HBO therapy may play its active role in TBI treatment dependent on astrogliosis inhibition, which may be achieved by downregulating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway mediated by PDGF-BB.

Revisiting the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in knee injuries: Potential benefits and mechanisms.

Knee injury negatively impacts routine activities and quality of life of millions of people every year. Disruption of tendons, ligaments, and articular cartilage are major causes of knee lesions, leading to social and economic losses. Besides the attempts for an optimal recovery of knee function after surgery, the joint healing process is not always adequate given the nature of intra-articular environment. Based on that, different therapeutic methods attempt to improve healing capacity. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an innovative biophysical approach that can be used as an adjuvant treatment post-knee surgery, to potentially prevent chronic disorders that commonly follows knee injuries. Given the well-recognized role of HBOT in improving wound healing, further research is necessary to clarify the benefits of HBOT in damaged musculoskeletal tissues, especially knee disorders. Here, we review important mechanisms of action for HBOT-induced healing including the induction of angiogenesis, modulation of inflammation and extracellular matrix components, and activation of parenchyma cells-key events to restore knee function after injury. This review discusses the basic science of the healing process in knee injuries, the role of oxygen during cicatrization, and shed light on the promising actions of HBOT in treating knee disorders, such as tendon, ligament, and cartilage injuries.

The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Fournier's Gangrene: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

ABSTRACTPurpose:Management of Fournier’s Gangrene (FG) includes broad-spectrum antibiotics with adequate surgical debridement, which should be performed within the first 24 hours of onset. However, this treatment may cause significant loss of tissue and may delay healing with the presence of ischemia. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been proposed as adjunctive therapy to assist the healing process. However, its benefit is still debatable. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of HBOT as an adjunct therapy for FG.Materials and Methods:This study complied with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses protocol to obtain studies investigating the effect of HBOT on patients with FG. The search is systematically carried out on different databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus based on population, intervention, control, and outcomes criteria. A total of 10 articles were retrieved for qualitative and quantitative analysis.Results:There was a significant difference in mortality as patients with FG who received HBOT had a lower number of deaths compared to patients who received conventional therapy (Odds Ratio 0.29; 95% CI 0.12 – 0.69; p = 0.005). However, the mean length of stay with Mean Difference (MD) of -0.18 (95% CI: -7.68 – 7.33; p=0.96) and the number of debridement procedures (MD 1.33; 95% CI: -0.58 – 3.23; p=0.17) were not significantly different.Conclusion:HBOT can be used as an adjunct therapy to prevent an increased risk of mortality in patients with FG.

The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of radiation lesions.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with 50-60% of patients requiring radiotherapy during the course of treatment. Patients' survival rate has increased significantly, with an inevitable increase in the number of patients experiencing side effects from cancer therapy. One such effect is late radiation injuries in which hyperbaric oxygen therapy appears as complementary treatment. With this work we intend to divulge the results of applying hyperbaric oxygen therapy among patients presenting radiation lesions in our Hyperbaric Medicine Unit. Retrospective analysis of clinical records of patients with radiation lesions treated at the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit assessed by the scale Late Effects of Normal Tissues-Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytical (LENT-SOMA) before and after treatment, between October 2014 and September 2019 were included. Demographic characteristics, primary tumor site, subjective assessment of the LENT-SOMA scale before and after treatment were collected and a comparative analysis (Students t test) was done. 88 patients included: 33 with radiation cystitis, 20 with radiation proctitis, 13 with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible and 22 with radiation enteritis. In all groups, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.005) in the subjective parameter of the LENT-SOMA scale. Late radiation lesions have a major influence on patients' quality of life. In our study hyperbaric oxygen therapy presents as an effective therapy after the failure of conventional treatments. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an effective complementary therapy in the treatment of refractory radiation lesions.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as adjuvant treatment for surgical site infections after male-to-female gender affirmation surgery: A 10-year experience.

IntroductionSeveral urological conditions that share an impairment of tissue oxygenation can benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy; limited evidence is available of its impact on patients undergoing male‐to‐female gender affirmation surgery.AimTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as adjuvant treatment for surgical site infections in patients undergoing male‐to‐female gender affirmation surgery.MethodsThis research was conducted as an observational retrospective study. Patients undergoing male‐to‐female gender affirmation surgery at the principal investigators’ institution from January 2009 to September 2019, with a discharge diagnosis of complicated superficial or deep wound infections, were included. All patients underwent standard management of wound infection. Subjects received/not‐received hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the surgeon's discretion and were assigned to the hyperbaric oxygen therapy versus non‐hyperbaric oxygen therapy group accordingly. Complete wound healing rate (primary outcome), duration of antibiotic therapy, perineal drain time, bladder catheter time, and hospital stay were recorded. All adverse events that occurred during the study period were described.ResultsA total of 156 patients underwent male‐to‐female gender affirmation surgery in the study period. Thirty‐three patients were enrolled. Fifteen subjects belonged to the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group, the other 18 to the non‐hyperbaric oxygen therapy group. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups at baseline. Penile inversion vaginoplasty and intestinal vaginoplasty were performed in nine (60%) and six (40%) patients of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group. Only penile inversion vaginoplasty was performed in subjects of the non‐hyperbaric oxygen therapy group. Complete wound healing was obtained in 15 patients (100%) of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group and 17 patients (94.4%) of the non‐hyperbaric oxygen therapy group (p = 0.35). Duration of antibiotic therapy, perineal drain time, bladder catheter time, and hospital stay were significantly lower in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group (p < 0.05).ConclusionOur preliminary data suggest a role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as adjuvant treatment for surgical site infection in patients undergoing male‐to‐female gender affirmation surgery. Randomized controlled trials properly powered are needed to confirm our findings.

The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Children

Objective: Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) is an otological emergency. Permanent SSNHL can seriously affect the social life, psychology, and language development of pediatric patients. There is no consensus the treatment of SSNHL. We compared the etiology, prognostic factors, and treatment results in pediatric patients who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in addition to systemic steroid therapy with a diagnosis of SSNHL. Material and Methods: The files of 15 children were received HBOT with the diagnosis of SSNHL, between the ages of 8-18 years, and followed-up at least three months were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The ages of patients with SSNHL ranged from 8 to 18 years of age (mean 14.47±3.31 years). Seven (46.7%) patients had complete recovery, and two (13.3%) patients had partial recovery, two (13.3%) patients had slight recovery, four (26.7%) patients had no improvement. While pre-treatment PTAs of the patients were ranged between 28 to 109 dB HL (mean±sd; 57.3±26.2 dB HL), post-treatment PTAs were 6 to 88 dB HL (38±27.3 dB HL), (p=0.002). No significant difference was found between age, gender, number of HBOT sessions and response to treatment (p = 0.581, p = 0.904, p = 0.357, p = 0.184, respectively). Conclusion: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a safe and well-tolerated treatment modality for pediatric SSNHL patients. To avoid ethical and legal problems, we think that pediatric patients with a diagnosis of SSNHL should be initiated with the consent of the patient’s parents.

Which Role for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of Fournier's Gangrene? A Retrospective Study.

PurposeIn Fournier's gangrene, surgical debridement plus antimicrobial therapy is the mainstay of treatment but can cause a great loss of tissue. The disease needs long hospital stays and, despite all, has a high mortality rate. The aim of our study is to investigate if factors, such as hyperbaric therapy, can offer an improvement in prognosis.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated data on 23 consecutive patients admitted for Fournier's gangrene at the University Hospital “P. Giaccone” of Palermo from 2011 to 2018. Factors related to length of hospital stay and mortality were examined.ResultsMortality occurred in three patients (13.1%) and was correlated with the delay between admission and surgical operation [1.7 days (C.I. 0.9–3.5) in patients who survived vs. 6.8 days (C.I. 3.5–13.4) in patients who died (p = 0.001)]. Hospital stay was longer in patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy [mean 11 (C.I. 0.50–21.89) vs. mean 25 (C.I. 18.02–31.97); p = 0.02] without an improvement in survival (p = 1.00).ConclusionOur study proves that a delay in the treatment of patients with Fournier's gangrene has a correlation with the mortality rate, while the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy seems to not improve the survival rate, increasing the hospital stay instead.