Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as an Adjunct in Aesthetic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Postoperative Outcomes and Complications

Abstract

Introduction: Aesthetic surgery has gained significant popularity due to advancements in techniques and increased societal acceptance. However, it is not without risks, including complications and delayed healing, which have sparked interest in adjunctive therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of HBOT in improving postoperative outcomes in aesthetic surgery.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases in December 2024, identifying studies involving patients who underwent aesthetic surgeries and received HBOT. Inclusion criteria focused on studies reporting outcomes related to wound healing, complication rates, and patient satisfaction. Primary outcomes assessed were healing time and complication rates, while secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction and overall aesthetic results. Study quality and risk of bias were evaluated using standardized assessment tools.

Results: Eleven studies with 734 patients were included, with 416 (56.7%) receiving HBOT. Predominantly used postoperatively (90.9%), HBOT reduced healing times, with a pooled mean healing time of 11.30 days [95% CI: 10.46, 12.14]. Procedures included abdominoplasty (36.4%) and breast aesthetic surgeries (27.3%). HBOT protocols varied, with sessions lasting 45-120 minutes at pressures of 2.0-3.0 ATA. Patient satisfaction was consistently high, with early satisfaction rates up to 88.2%.

Conclusion: HBOT is an effective adjunct in aesthetic surgery, promoting faster recovery and greater patient satisfaction. However, the variability in study designs and HBOT protocols underscores the need for well-designed randomized controlled trials to establish standardized guidelines for its application in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.

Level of evidence ii: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Keywords: Aesthetic surgery; Complication rates; Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT); Meta-analysis; Patient satisfaction; Postoperative outcomes; Recovery time; Systematic review; Wound healing.