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HBOT Evidence Digest · Pacific Hyperbarics

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

FDA status

Recognized

Evidence

Grade A · Strong

Coverage

Medicare ✓

ICD-10

—

Summary

"Flesh-eating" infections — HBOT supports antibiotics and surgery by attacking oxygen-hating bacteria.

Typical protocol

2.0–2.5 ATA × 90 min, BID between debridements, 5–30 sessions · UHMS

The evidence (1)

  1. [1] Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for necrotizing soft tissue infections: a systematic review

    POSITIVE

    Devaney B, Frawley G, Frawley L, Pilcher DV · Anaesthesia and Intensive Care · 2015 · PMID 26310406

    Systematic review reporting associations between adjunctive HBOT and reduced mortality in necrotizing soft tissue infections, while noting the absence of randomized trials.

    Quality: Observational evidence; RCTs are ethically difficult in this emergency.

Prepared by Pacific Hyperbarics · pacifichyperbarics.com · (619) 423-8200. Evidence grade reflects our editorial reading of the cited literature, last reviewed July 2026. Educational summary for clinicians — not a treatment directive. Verify coverage criteria against current payer policy.

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