HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY (HBOT) AND EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX (ECM) IN TREATMENT OF MANGLED LOWER EXTRAMITY marin.marinovic2@gmail.com

PE119

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY (HBOT) AND EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX (ECM) IN TREATMENT OF MANGLED LOWER EXTRAMITY

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Endi Radović endi.radovic@yahoo.co.uk Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation Thalassotherapia Rijeka Croatia

Vedrana Mužić Radović vedmuzic@yahoo.com Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation of the Heart and Lung Diseases and Rheumatism-Thalassotherapia Rijeka Croatia

Klara Radović klara.radovic@uniroma1.it Sapienza University of Rome Roma Croatia

Melita Kukuljan melita.kukuljan@medri.uniri.hr University Hospital Rijeka Department of Radiology Rijeka Croatia Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka,

Croatia

Poster Exhibition only

Treatment of a mangled lower extremity represents a major challenge for surgeon. The decision whether to amputate or attempt reconstruction is currently based upon surgical evaluation and available supportive therapies. These injuries are characterized by the major destruction of soft and bony tissue and are typically caused by high-energy trauma. The disintegration of the tissue over the bones of the foot, combined with impaired blood circulation, can lead to necrosis, necessitating plastic reconstruction procedures and in some cases even mutilation surgery. In this context, the combination of extracellular matrix (ECM) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a promising strategy to promote tissue regeneration and prevent necrosis by supporting cellular repair and improving oxygenation in the affected areas.

Treatment with HBOT serves as a valuable supportive treatment method in various areas of trauma surgery, especially in situations where tissue perfusion is impaired, such as impaired microcirculation. In this context, both HBOT and ECM-orientated strategies are used to improve oxygenation and support tissue healing and regeneration.

This combination of timely surgical treatment with these two supportive methods has shown good results in the treatment of patients with this type of injury.

Local healing was satisfactory, suggesting that the combination of ECM and HBOT is effective in the treatment of such wounds. This approach appears to be a favourable mixture of supportive therapy and surgical treatment.