This is the 2023 Cochrane review of hyperbaric oxygen for late radiation tissue injury (LRTI) — the third update of a review first published in 2005 and revised in 2012 and 2016. It is the most current synthesis of randomized evidence on the topic.
What the study looked at
Cochrane reviews pool data from randomized controlled trials using a standardized, transparent methodology. This review evaluated the benefits and harms of HBOT for treating or preventing LRTI — tissue damage that can emerge months or years after radiotherapy, such as osteoradionecrosis and soft-tissue injury.
What it found
The review found evidence that HBOT can improve outcomes for certain late radiation injuries (for example, in some head-and-neck and pelvic tissues and around dental/surgical procedures), while noting that the evidence is not uniform across all injury types and that some comparisons remain uncertain.
How strong is the evidence?
As a Cochrane systematic review, this is among the highest tiers of clinical evidence. Late radiation tissue injury is one of the recognized clinical indications for HBOT. This review updates the earlier Bennett 2016 version — see also our entry on that review.
Related on Saturate
See our evidence overview of HBOT in cancer survivorship.
Source
Lin ZC, et al. (2023). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for late radiation tissue injury. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005005.pub5 · PubMed
This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy carries genuine clinical risks; consult a qualified clinician. Read our full medical disclaimer.