• I-Chun Wang, Wen-Neng Ueng Steve S, Li-Jen Yuan, Yuan-Kun Tu, Song-Shu Lin, Chao-Ran Wang, Ching-Lung Tai, and Kun-Chang Wang.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
• J Trauma. 2005 Jun 1; 58 (6): 1230-5.

BackgroundWe investigated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on the early phase of tibial lengthening in our established rabbit model.MethodsTwenty-four male rabbits (six per group) underwent right tibial lengthening by 5 mm. Group 1 then underwent 2.5 atmospheres of absolute hyperbaric oxygenation for 2 hours daily for 6 weeks postoperatively; group 2, for early 5 weeks (weeks 1-5), group 3, for late 5 weeks (weeks 2-6), and group 4 had no HBO therapy. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured before surgery and weekly thereafter from weeks 2 through 6. The mechanical strengths of the lengthened tibias were measured.ResultsSignificantly higher mean %BMDs were obtained for groups 1 and 2 compared with groups 3 and 4. There was no difference in the mean %BMD between groups 1 and 2 (p > 0.05). The results were similar for mean percentage maximal torque; group 1 had the maximum torque, followed sequentially by groups 2 though 4.ConclusionThe study results suggest that early and full-term administration of HBO therapy on tibial lengthening may achieve better benefits.

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