Abstract:ObjectiveTo study the promoting effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on nasal mucosa recovery after nasal surgery in rabbits.Methods21 Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, i.e. normal blank control group (n=5), hyperbaric oxygen group (n=8) and nonhyperbaric oxygen group (n=8). The rabbits in the normal blank control group were fed under atmospheric environment, and the animals in both the hyperbaric oxygen group and nonhyperbaric oxygen group underwent operation to establish model of bilateral nasal surgery. At the fifth day after operation, the rabbits of the hyperbaric oxygen group received HBOT, while those of the nonhyperbaric oxygen group were placed in the normal environment. Gross morphological and pathological changes of nasal mucosa in the surgical area of bilateral inferior turbinate were observed at the sixth week after operation. The inferior turbinate mucosa was obtained simultaneously from the blank control group for observation.ResultsIn gross morphological examination, scar hyperplasia without adhesion presented in one side and septic secretion in 2 sides of the hyperbaric oxygen group, while scar adhesion in 7 sides and empyema in 8 sides of the nonhyperbaric oxygen group. The nasal mucosae of the hyperbaric oxygen group recovered better than those of the nonhyperbaric oxygen group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Pathological study of nasal mucosa revealed inflammatory cell infiltration, hyperemia and edema of basal membrane as well as fiber connective tissue proliferation. However, the pathological changes in the hyperbaric oxygen group were mild while those in the nonhyperbaric oxygen group were moderatesevere, and the difference was also statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionBy reducing the inflammatory response, alleviating congestion and edema in the basal membrane and inhibiting the proliferation of fibrous connective tissue and scar formation, HBOT can promote the recovery of nasal mucosa after nasal surgery in rabbits.