Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on caustic esophageal injury in rats.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Caustic esophageal burn is a serious problem in pediatric surgery. Even though many clinical and experimental studies had been performed, the complication rate could not be reduced to a satisfying level. In this study, the authors evaluated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in caustic esophageal burn in rats.

METHODS

Rats were divided into 4 groups, and caustic burn at the distal esophagus was created by applying 50% NaOH for 3 minutes in all groups. The first and third groups did not receive HBO therapy. HBO therapy was applied to the second group for 2 days and to the fourth group for 28 days. To evaluate the effects of short-term HBO therapy, the first 2 groups were compared for ulceration, inflammation, and submucosal vascular thrombosis after 2 days. The third and fourth groups were compared for the long-term effects of HBO therapy. Rats in these groups were killed after 28 days and compared for the collagen content, weight, and mortality rate.

RESULTS

In the second group, which received 2 days of HBO therapy, ulcer depth and vascular thrombosis were significantly lower than these in the first group (P =.022 and P =.020, respectively). The fourth group, which received 4 weeks of HBO therapy, had a significantly reduced mortality rate, weight loss, and collagen score and hydroxyproline level if compared with the third group (P =.035; P =.016; P =.028; and P =.033, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that HBO therapy is useful in caustic esophageal burn both in short-term and long-term use.