HYPERBARIC CENTER BASEL 
Home Diving medicine Hyperbaric medicine
Examples
Bubble reduction
The effect of the Boyle's law (p1xv1 = p2xv2) can be seen in many aspects of HBO. This can be useful for embolic phenomena such as decompression sickness (DCS) or arterial gas embolism (AGE). As the pressure increases, the volume of the bladder decreases. This is also important during decompression of the chamber. When a patient holds their breath, the volume of gas trapped in the lungs increases and can lead to pneumothorax.
Temperature change
Charles' law ([p1xv1] / T1 = [p2xv2] / T2) explains the increase in temperature during compression (increase in pressure) and the decrease in temperature during decompression (reduction in pressure). This can be important when treating children or very sick or intubated patients.
Increased amount of oxygen in the blood
The Henry's law says that the amount of gas dissolved in a liquid corresponds at the partial pressure of this gas on the surface of this liquid. In the compressed chamber, more oxygen can be dissolved in the patient's plasma than outside the pressure chamber.
Increased amount of oxygen in the tissues
Since the blood carries much more oxygen, it can supply the tissues with enormous quantities, especially where it is lacking. Then there are chemical reactions that trigger the healing process. This increased pressure causes oxygen to diffuse into the tissues and thus reaches areas with poor vascularity. The distance at which oxygen can diffuse from the last capillary is calculated with the mathematical diffusion model of Krogh
Claustrophobia occurs in about 3% of cases, in a monoplace chamber and in about 4% of patients in a multiplace chamber. From our own experience, we experienced a situation of claustrophobia in only 2% of patients. Often, patients get used to the hyperbaric chamber after a few treatments.
Side effects caused by pressure
Pressure damage to the middle earBetween 13% and 17% dof patients complain of decreased hearing, ear pressure or severe ear pain. Symptoms go away within days without treatment or with nasal drops. Sometimes the treatment needs to be off for a few days.These side effects (Teed classification) can be avoided with a slow pressurization. If the patient has a cold or a flu, he will not be able to equalize. As a precaution, we stop the treatment until he is better.
Sinus pressure damage
This rarely happens. The exact figures are not known. In 30 years of our activity, we have never met such a case. The damage, mainly to the maxillary sinuses, usually occurs during decompression and manifests as pain and bloody nasal mucus. Treatment consists of slow decompression, nasal drops, and pain relievers if needed.
Pressure injuries to the lungs
Less than 1 per 100,000 treatments. We have never seen it in 35 years of activity. Caution is advised in patients who have previously had pneumothorax or in patients with pulmonary bubbles. If this happens, it is in the decompression phase. Treatment must take place in the hyperbaric chamber during the session with an appropriate drainage. Lung transplantation is not a contraindication for HBO.
Oxyge toxicity
Central nervous systemOnly in the form of a grand mal type epileptic seizure. The frequency for patients without risk factors and a compression pressure of 240 to 250 kPa is between 1 attack per 12,000 to 14,000 compressions. As additional protection, we introduce oxygen pauses in the middle of the session . There are no sequelae and the EEG is normal. There is no individual brain hypersensitivity to oxygen. We note that the level of NO is suddenly increased just before the crisis which causes increased cerebral blood flow and consequently free radicals.
Vision
Up to 78% of patients develop temporary myopia after 40 consecutive treatments. This number is higher when patients inhale oxygen through a hood instead of a face mask . It is believed that this may be due to an opalescence of the lens which changes its refractive power. After a few months, the myopia disappears again, but there are traces of it that the patient does not realize. An ophthalmic examination is not necessary. Cataracts have been described after more than 100 consecutive treatments .
Back to the start of side effects
updated 27-Mar-2021
Chronic diabetic wounds
Damage by anti-cancer radiation
Chronic osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis of the jaw
Decompression sickness
updated 03-Avr-2021
Indications for HBOT which are not currently covered by health insurance funds
Despite the fact that scientific data are rather more in favor of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the following indications, there is no coverage by the Swiss health funds while this is sometimes the case in other countries.
Aseptic femoral head necrosis
Sudden deafness
Accoustic traumatism
Cerebral gas embolism
Necrotizing fasciitis
For non-urgent treatments, usually lasting 2 hours, we use the TARMED position 15.0370 which corresponds to an hourly rate of CHF 121.88 .
For hospitalized patients, the treatment costs are included in the hospital package. Hospitals can charge insurances for the extra costs caused by HBOT by using the following positions .