A freshly applied split-thickness graft receives no oxygen until tiny blood vessels called capillaries can penetrate it. Such capillary ingrowth normally takes place over a two to three day period. If this does not happen, it's unlikely that the graft will survive. HBOT improves the chances that a graft will take, both by supplying oxygen and by encouraging quick capillary growth.

Providing hyperoxygenation increases the oxygen tension in the graft bed and wound margins up to 1500 percent. It also causes a marked increase in the amount of oxygen that reaches the graft through the compromised blood vessels. The volume of tissue that derives sufficient oxygen from a single damaged blood vessel increases 16 fold, and marked tissue salvage results.

• While HBOT can help save failing grafts it can be even more effective when used before surgery to keep grafts from failing in the first place.

• HBOT also offers strategies for reducing edema. The edema reduction effect, induced by the relative spasm of a precapillary arteriolar sphincter helps to limit the swelling of the graft or flap. The high oxygen tension achievable with HBOT induces neovascularization. Among other things, oxygen dissolved in plasma is readily available to tissues and organs thus limiting damage from reperfusion injury.

• HBOT's effectiveness in aiding skin graft survival is supported by research. The effectiveness of HBOT is shown in grafting and in reimplantation of limbs, with a salvage rate of 75% for the HBOT group compared to 46% for the controls, with 100% HBOT salvage when the patient is treated within 72 hours post-operatively.

• The use of HBOT for the preparation of a base for skin grafting and the preservation of compromised skin grafts has been well documented as effective.