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Before the end of 2002, over 5000 patient treatments were provided to more than 550
patients suffering from a variety of disorders such as:
- Acute crush injuries
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Complications of radiation therapy for cancer
- Decompression Sickness and Arterial Gas Embolism
- Diabetic wounds
- Failing grafts and flaps
- Necrotising infections and gangrene
- Refractory osteomyelitis
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is the administration of 100% oxygen, breathed
under increased environmental pressure and delivered to the tissues by
the circulation. Arterial blood gas pO2 values greater than 2000 mmHg
are routinely achieved affording the opportunity for the body to survive,
heal and combat infection.
The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy service is an invaluable adjunct to a multi-disciplinary
management plan.
The HBOT unit at the Life Eugene Marais Hospital in Pretoria, under the medical
direction of Dr Frans Cronje and Dr Heleen Bierman, provides expert consultation on:
- General Surgery
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Vascular surgery
- Plastic surgery
- Transcutaneous oximetry service for the non-invasive assessment of
wounds and mapping of limbs prior to amputation or surgery
All the staff members at the unit are internationally trained in hyperbaric
oxygen therapy and Dr Cronje offers a course -- Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
Staff Training, to qualify physicians, nurses and emergency service personnel
in the clinical application of HBO. The course is inter-nationally recognised
and participants can take an international exam on successful completion
of the course after accumulating some hours of practical experience.
For more information about the service contact Dr Gregory Weir on 012 334 2567 at the
Life Eugene Marais Hospital
in Pretoria.
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