Merck Manual

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Recompression Therapy

(Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy)

By

Richard E. Moon

, MD, Duke University Medical Center

Reviewed/Revised Apr 2023
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
Topic Resources

Recompression therapy involves giving 100% oxygen for several hours in a sealed chamber at high pressures (at least 1.9 atmospheres).

Recompression therapy has four effects on the blood that can be useful in treating diving injuries:

  • Increasing the concentration of oxygen

  • Decreasing the concentration of nitrogen

  • Decreasing the concentration of carbon monoxide

  • Decreasing the size of gas bubbles

  • Decreasing inflammation (anti-inflammatory effect)

Treatment in a hyperbaric chamber with oxygen therapy is often referred to as hyperbaric oxygen therapy when it is given primarily to administer high concentrations of oxygen rather than to treat decompression sickness or arterial gas embolism. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for several disorders unrelated to diving.

Disorders Treated With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy seems to benefit people with some disorders. These include

It is less clear whether treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps people with other disorders, and studies in these disorders are still being done:

  • Brain abscess and infection caused by actinomycosis

  • Severe anemia and very low blood pressure due to blood loss when transfusion is not possible

The sooner recompression therapy for decompression sickness is begun, the better the result is likely to be. However, recompression may be helpful even if started up to several days after surfacing. Some chambers have room for more than one person and some have room for only one. Treatments are usually given once or twice daily for up to 300 minutes. Most often, 100% oxygen is given at 2.5 to 3 atmospheres of pressure Underwater pressure People who engage in deep-sea or scuba diving are at risk of a number of injuries, most of which are caused by changes in pressure. These disorders also can affect people who work in underwater... read more .

Information regarding the location of the nearest recompression chamber, the most rapid means of reaching it, and the most appropriate source to consult by telephone should be known by most divers. Such information is also available from the Divers Alert Network (919-684-9111) or Duke Dive Medicine (919-684-8111) 24 hours per day.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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