Hyperbaric oxygen for patients with above-knee amputations, persistent ischemia, and nonreconstructable vascular disease.

Abstract

We describe four patients with above-knee amputations whose stump wounds failed to heal. After numerous revascularization attempts, these patients were diagnosed with nonreconstructable pelvic and groin vascular disease and were facing hip disarticulation. With the addition of hyperbaric oxygen treatment to vigilant wound care and negative pressure therapy, these patients healed their amputation stumps and were fit with prostheses. At their most recent follow-up, all patients were ambulating and using their prostheses.