Therapeutic recompression

Therapeutic recompression is a medical treatment method primarily used to treat decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, and certain other conditions that involve gas bubbles in the body. The treatment involves increasing the ambient pressure on the patient, usually by placing them in a hyperbaric chamber, which allows the gas bubbles to dissolve.

History

The use of therapeutic recompression dates back to the 19th century, when it was first used to treat workers who had been involved in the construction of underwater tunnels and had suffered from decompression sickness. The technique has since been refined and is now a standard treatment for decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism.

Procedure

The patient is placed in a hyperbaric chamber, which is then sealed and pressurized with air or a mixture of gases. The increased pressure allows the gas bubbles in the patient's body to dissolve back into the blood and tissues. The pressure in the chamber is typically increased to a level equivalent to that found at a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) of sea water, and is maintained for a period of time that can range from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the patient's condition.

Uses

In addition to treating decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism, therapeutic recompression can also be used to treat other conditions that involve gas bubbles in the body, such as pneumothorax and gas gangrene. It is also used in the treatment of certain non-gas-related conditions, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, necrotizing fasciitis, and osteomyelitis.

Risks and complications

While therapeutic recompression is generally safe, it does carry some risks. These can include barotrauma, oxygen toxicity, and, in rare cases, decompression sickness. The risk of complications can be reduced by careful monitoring of the patient during the procedure.

See also

• Hyperbaric medicine
• Decompression (diving)
• Diving medicine

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