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Hyperbaric Oxygen in Lower Leg Trauma

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Soft Tissue Injury
Tibial Fracture
Interventions
Other: Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
Registration Number
NCT00264511
Lead Sponsor
Bayside Health
Brief Summary

Study hypothesis :Hyperbaric Oxygen may prevent complications and improve outcomes in severe lower limb trauma. We propose to investigate this hypothesis by conducting an International multi centre randomised control trial of standard trauma/orthopaedic care with or without a concurrent course of hyperbaric oxygen treatments.

Detailed Description

A randomised controlled trial was undertaken on using hyperbaric oxygen in addition to standard orthopaedic trauma care in severe lower leg injury, defined as an open tibial fracture with severe soft tissue injury. The control arm subjects received standard hospital trauma care whilst the intervention group received standard trauma care with the addition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy with the aim of providing 12 HBOT sessions over the first 9 days of hospital care. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of wound necrosis AND/OR wound infection as assessed at Day 14, with secondary outcomes of wound closure, wound complications, infections and delayed bone union at 12 months plus quality of life and functional questionnaire outcomes at 12 months and 2 years.

The detailed study protocol was published in in June 2015 and the results were published in September 2022. Both publications are Open Access (See References section for publication details)

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
120
Inclusion Criteria
  • Acute fracture of the tibia with significant soft tissue injury of Gustilo Grade 3
  • Enrolment within 48 hours of injury with expectation of commencement of HBO therapy within 48 hours of injury
  • Valid consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Significant head injury
  • Injuries incompatible with HBO
  • resuscitation requirements incompatible with HBO
  • follow up not possible
  • hyperbaric contra indications

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Hyperbaric oxygen treatmentHyperbaric Oxygen TreatmentSubjects in the HBO treatment group will receive a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) in addition to normal trauma and general care. A total of 12 HBO sessions will be delivered over approximately 8 days. HBO treatment will be provided at 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA) pressure for approximately 90 minutes of oxygen therapy. Treatments should be twice daily for the first three days. Minor variability will be allowed with respect to timing and profile of each session.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Acute phase complication rateup to 14 days post trauma

The incidence of acute complications after injury. A composite measure defined as the occurrence within two weeks of trauma of one or both of: significant soft tissue necrosis developing after the initial surgery or significant wound infection.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of life score3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months post trauma

Short Form 36 quality of life questionnaire (algorithm produces a score in the range of 0-100 with higher score better)

Late infection3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months post trauma

records of diagnosis of wound infection or osteomyelitis or implant infection at defined times

Functional outcome score3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months post trauma

lower limb function component of Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment ((each question is scored 1-5 with lower score better)

Delayed union of fracture12 months post trauma

Any diagnosis of delayed union or non union or performance or scheduling of bone graft for union problems

Wound persistence3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months post trauma

A record of whether any injury related wound remains open at review. Excludes new surgical wounds.

Amputation rate3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months post trauma

operative procedure records of a limb amputation related to the trauma under study

Radiological union3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months post trauma

electronic image copies of radiographs recorded by treating hospitals

Problem Wounds12 months post trauma

Blinded evaluation of whether post traumatic wounds met the criteria for "Problem Wounds" as a result of requiring readmission to hospital, prolonged wound care, additional surgery or antibiotics that complicated or deteriorated patient recovery

Pain score3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months post trauma

Subjects self reported pain using a 0-10 visual analogue scale

Trial Locations

Locations (10)

Universitatsklinikum Graz

🇦🇹

Graz, Austria

Karolinska Hospital

🇸🇪

Stockholm, Sweden

Policlinico Umberto 1, University of Rome

🇮🇹

Rome, Italy

City Hospital of Ostrava

🇨🇿

Ostrava, Czechia

Hospital del Trabajador

🇨🇱

Santiago, Chile

Hospital Pedro Hispano

🇵🇹

Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal

John Muir Clinical Research Center

🇺🇸

Concord, California, United States

Royal Hobart Hospital

🇦🇺

Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital

🇮🇳

New Delhi, Sarita Vihar, India

The Alfred

🇦🇺

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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