Plastic Surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which was once underutilized in the field of plastic surgery, is now being widely used as adjuvant therapy in plastic surgery recovery. HBOT accelerates the natural healing process, reduces inflammation, swelling, and scarring, and minimizes postsurgical complications like infections and necrosis.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery demonstrated that HBOT after plastic surgery procedures led to significantly shorter recovery times and reduced postoperative complications.
If you have undergone a plastic or reconstructive surgery, you may greatly benefit from HBOT. Read on to learn more about how hyperbaric oxygen therapy benefits plastic surgery patients, when it is recommended, and what you can expect.
Plastic surgery often involves complex procedures that require optimal healing and wound care for the best outcomes. HBOT, which is a non-invasive and painless medical treatment, works best in this regard.
HBOT delivers 100% pure oxygen to the patient's body at a higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure within a hyperbaric chamber. Due to increased pressure, more oxygen molecules dissolve in the bloodstream, enhancing tissue oxygenation, angiogenesis, and healing, which is critical for effective postsurgical recovery.
How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Benefit Plastic Surgery Patients?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can support plastic or reconstructive surgery through:
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Accelerate Wound Healing Process
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HBOT increases angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) to deliver oxygen and nutrients to regenerating areas, enhancing natural wound healing and tissue repair. This improved overall outcomes, particularly in patients who underwent facelifts, tummy tucks, and breast reconstruction procedures. According to studies, patients who undergo HBOT can experience recovery speeds improved by up to 75% compared to those who do not utilize this therapy. Similarly, another study reported that patients who underwent facelifts experienced significantly faster healing times when they received HBOT before and after surgery.
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Enhances Tissue Repair and Regeneration
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HBOT also enhances tissue repair and regeneration by activating fibroblasts and increasing collagen synthesis. Increased oxygen levels promote the formation of new cells and tissues, which leads to less noticeable scars and improved overall aesthetic outcomes of the surgical procedure. In short, HBOT not only helps in tissue repair and regeneration but also minimizes the appearance of scars.
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Reduces Inflammation and Swelling
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Patients experience swelling, inflammation, and bruising after plastic surgery. These side effects not only delay the recovery time but also affect the final results of plastic surgery. HBOT when delivered oxygen to the affected tissues, it reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause inflammation. The reduction in inflammation decreases swelling, pain, and bruising in patients. A study showed that HBOT decreased bruising in facelift patients by 35%. Also, patients who underwent HBOT sessions after plastic surgery reported a significant reduction in inflammation, swelling, and pain.
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Reduces the Risk of Skin Infections
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When the tissue's viability is compromised, the risk of deep skin infections increases following any surgical procedure, including plastic surgery. Since HBOT has strong antibacterial properties, it inhibits the growth of anaerobic bacteria by delivering high oxygen to tissues. Furthermore, it also enhances the function of white blood cells, such as leukocytes, to ward off infection and speed up the recovery. For instance, a meta-analysis of over 3000 individuals undergoing cosmetic surgery reported that HBOT has been shown to considerably lower the rates of postsurgical infections in people who received it after plastic surgery.
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Minimizes the Chances of Tissue Necrosis
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HBOT also minimizes the risk of tissue necrosis or tissue death in patients who received reconstructive surgeries like skin flaps or grafts. Tissue necrosis occurs due to insufficient blood supply to cells. HBOT improves blood circulation and oxygenation in the damaged areas and increases the success rate of graft survival.
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When is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy recommended?
Healthy patients can opt for HBOT before and after plastic surgery to speed up recovery so they can return to their daily activities as quickly as possible.
Plastic surgeons may also recommend HBOT under certain conditions such as complications like infections or tissue necrosis or if the patient has impaired wound healing due to underlying conditions like diabetes and peripheral vascular diseases or smoking history.
What can you expect during an HBOT Session?
During your hyperbaric oxygen session, you will sit or lie in a pressurized chamber while breathing 100% medical-grade oxygen. Each session lasts between 60 to120 minutes and is generally painless. Moreover, the frequency of HBOT sessions can vary depending on the patient's needs and plastic surgical procedures.
For example, patients with breast augmentations or tummy tucks can benefit from just five sessions, while others may require an extensive treatment plan.
If you'd like to learn about how hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help you recover from plastic or reconstructive surgery, please book a FREE consultation below.
References:
1. Simman, R., & Bach, K. (2022). Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery in Ischemic Soft Tissue Wounds: A Case Series. Eplasty, 22, e61. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9748824/
2. Neel, O. F., Mousa, A. H., Al-Terkawi, R. A., Bakr, M. M., & Mortada, H. (2023). Assessing the Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Facelift Outcomes: A Case–Control Study Comparing Outcomes in Patients With and Without Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Open Forum, 5, ojad065. https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojad065
3. Borg, D., Bugeja, K., & Chircop, K. L. (2024). Enhancing Postoperative Healing with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Applications in Plastic Surgery Procedures. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1007105
4. Oley, M. H., Oley, M. C., Mawu, F. O., Aling, D. M. R., & Faruk, M. (2022). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in managing minimally invasive aesthetic procedure complications: a report of three cases. Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, Volume 15, 63–68. https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s344408
5. Parnis, J., Magrin, A. M. F., & Hassan, H. (2024). The role, safety, and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in aesthetic practice—An evidence‐based review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 23(6), 1940–1955. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16228
6. Shinomiya, N., & Asai, Y. (2019). Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy. Springer eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7836-2
7. Tambasco, D., Albanese, R., Tomaselli, F., & Montes, C. (2024). The present and future role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in plastic surgery. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-03867-9
8. Oley, M. H., Oley, M. C., Mawu, F. O., Aling, D. M. R., & Faruk, M. (2022b). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in managing minimally invasive aesthetic procedure complications: a report of three cases. Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, Volume 15, 63–68. https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s344408
9. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Plastic Surgery practice: case . . . : Il Giornale di Chirurgia - Journal of the Italian Surgical Association. (n.d.). LWW. https://journals.lww.com/jisa/fulltext/2019/07000/hyperbaric_oxygen_therapy_in_plastic_surgery.2.aspx
10. Surgery, N. Y. C. F. F. P. a. L. (2018, June 30). Facelift Healing Innovation: New Study Shows Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Decreases Bruising in Facelifts Patients by 35%. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/facelift-healing-innovation-new-study-shows-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-decreases-bruising-in-facelifts-patients-by-35-103423279.html
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