A retrospective study of patients with diabetes mellitus after partial foot amputation and hyperbaric oxygen treatment

A retrospective chart review was conducted of 35 patients (40 feet) who received hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy after partial foot amputation between 1990 and 2000. Preoperative transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (tcPO ₂) levels, the number of hyperbaric treatments, time to final outcome, use of revascularization procedures, and postsurgical outcome were extracted from the charts. Seventy percent (n = 28) had a successful outcome, defined as complete healing and absence of ulceration at the amputation site, and lack of further surgical procedures to heal the amputation site; whereas 30% (n = 12) had a failed outcome, defined as lack of healing or the presence of an ulcer at the site of amputation or the need for further surgery to heal the amputation site. The level of amputation, use of revascularization procedures, time to final outcome, and number of hyperbaric treatments were not significantly different (P > .05) between the 2 postsurgical outcome groups. The mean preoperative tcPO₂ levels were greater (P < .01) in the successful (24 ± mm Hg) than in the failed (11 ± mm Hg) outcome groups. All patients with a tcPO₂ level > 29 mm Hg had a successful outcome. Patients with a successful postsurgical outcome had a mean of 20 HBO treatments and took 44 days to final outcome, while those with a failed postsurgical outcome had 16 HBO treatments and took 216 days to final outcome.