Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Postoperative Paralytic Ileus and Intestinal Obstruction

Abstract

The effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy were assessed in 28 patients with postoperative paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction in our hospital from July 2012 to September 2015. Of the 28 patients, 21 (75%) improved, and the median number of days from starting HBO to eating was 7 days. Treatment was significantly more effective in cases treated without a decompression tube than in those treated with one (85.7% vs. 42.9%, p<0.05). There was no difference in response rate between paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction. Of the 17 cases with paralytic ileus, the number of days from onset to starting HBO was significantly shorter in the effective group than in the ineffective group. Six cases (21%) had complications of HBO, inability to rest and middle ear pressure. We consider that HBO is safe and effective for patients with postoperative paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction. In paralytic ileus, starting HBO early may be more effective.