Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery
Aesthetic & Reconstructive Recovery
In aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, hyperbaric oxygen is used adjunctively to support recovery — accelerating post-procedure healing and helping salvage grafts or flaps with compromised blood supply. The rationale draws on HBOT's established tissue-oxygenating and graft-salvage effects; in the cosmetic setting specifically it remains an adjunctive, investigational use.
Evidence summary
Adjunctive HBOT in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery for accelerated post-procedure healing and salvage of compromised grafts and flaps. A 2023 case–control study of facelift patients (n=20, retrospectively matched, single surgeon) reported mean wound healing of 13.3 days in the HBOT group versus 36.9 days in matched controls (P<.001), with sessions starting within 24 hours of surgery at approximately 2.0 ATA. Reviews of compromised flaps and grafts characterise HBOT as a salvage adjunct that improves oxygen delivery, angiogenesis, fibroblast activity, and edema control while standard surgical management addresses the mechanical cause of failure. HBOT is positioned as a salvage and recovery adjunct, not as a routine enhancer of uncomplicated cosmetic surgery.
Treatment protocol
Protocol
Pressure
2.0 – 2.5 ATA
Duration
60 – 90 min
Sessions
5 – 10 (aesthetic) / 20 – 30 (graft/flap salvage)
Frequency
Once daily; within 24 h of surgery for salvage cases
Evidence basis: Case–Control Study (Neel et al., 2023) + Reviews
References:
See full citations on the references page.
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