There are several conditions for which Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is approved around the world by state medical authorities including the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia, the US’ Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. In addition, private health insurers support a host of treatments.
A comprehensive list of medical and surgical conditions that also benefit from HBOT has been established by the Australian and New Zealand Hyperbaric Medicine Group:
| BROAD INDICATION | SPECIFIC INDICATION |
| Bubble Injury | Decompression illness Arterial gas embolism (Diving/ Iatrogenic/ Misadventure) |
| Acute Ischaemic Conditions | Compromised flaps/grafts Crush injury/Compartment syndrome Reperfusion injuries Sudden sensorineural hearing loss Avascular necrosis |
| Infective Conditions | Clostridial myonecrosis Necrotizing fasciitis non clostridial Myonecrosis necrotizing cellulitis Malignant otitis externa Refractory mycoses Refractory ostemyelitis Intracranial abscess |
| Radiation Tissue Injury | Osteoradionecrosis Established Prophylactic Soft tissue radiation injury Established Prophylactic |
| Problem Wounds | Chronic ischaemic problem woundsDiabetic: Ulcers/gangrene/post-surgicalNon-diabetic problem wounds: Pyoderma gangrenosum Refractory venous ulcers Post-surgical problem wounds |
| Toxic Gas Poisoning | Carbon monoxide poisoning (Mod/Severe) Carbon monoxide poisoning delayed sequelae |
| Ocular Ischaemic Pathology | Cystoid macular oedema Retinal artery / vein occlusion |
| Miscellaneous | Thermal burns Bells palsy Frostbite |
| Adjuvant to Radiotherapy | As adjunct to radiotherapy in treatment of solid tumours |
Table 1: Accepted indications for hyperbaric therapy
Further Reading: