Effects of early hyperbaric oxygen treatment combined with mild hypothermia treatment on patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of early hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment combined with mild hypothermia treatment on patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods A total of 45 participants with severe TBI were randomly divided into combination group (15 cases),mild hypothermia group (15 cases) and control group (15 cases).In control group the patients were managed with treatments for reducing the intracranial pressure (ICP) and controlling the hemorrhage and gastric acid,and with administration of neurotrophic treatment and nutritional support.In addition to above mentioned interventions,the patients in mild hypothermia group received mild hypothermia treatment; while those in the combination group received mild hypothermia plus HBO treatment.The scores of Glasgow coma scale (GCS) were measured before and after treatment.The ICP and pressure of oxygen in brain tissue (PbtO2) were recorded during the process of treatment.Results After treatment,the scores of GCS in 3 groups all increased significantly,but the improvement of the GCS scores in combination group was the highest(P ＜0.05).The ICP in combination group were significantly lower than that in mild hypothermia group and control group since the 5th day (P ＜ 0.05).The PbtO2 in combination group were significantly higher than that in mild hypothermia group and control group since the 7th day(P ＜0.01).Conclusions Early HBO treatment combined with mild hypothermia treatment could improve the therapeutic efficiency in patients with severe TBI. Key words: Severe traumatic brain injury;  Hyperbaric oxygen treatment;  Mild hypothermia treatment