If you or a loved one has undergone a skin graft or flap surgery, you know that the healing process is critical for success. In some cases, poor circulation, inflammation, or infection can put the graft or flap at risk of failure.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a proven treatment that enhances healing by delivering 100% pure oxygen at higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure. This process dramatically increases oxygen levels in the blood, helping skin grafts and flaps survive, integrate, and heal faster.
Many plastic and reconstructive surgeons now recommend HBOT to improve outcomes and prevent complications. Below, we explore why HBOT is so effective for skin graft and flap patients.
A skin graft is a section of skin that is removed from one part of the body and transplanted to another. Because grafts do not have their own blood supply, they must absorb oxygen from the surrounding tissue until new blood vessels form.
A flap is a piece of skin, fat, or muscle that is transferred with its blood supply intact. Flaps are often used for reconstructive surgeries.
When these issues arise, HBOT can be a game-changer by supplying oxygen directly to the tissues that need it most.
One of the biggest challenges for skin grafts and flaps is oxygen deprivation. Oxygen is essential for new blood vessel formation, collagen production, and cell repair.
HBOT supercharges oxygen levels in the bloodstream, allowing oxygen to reach areas with poor circulation. Even if blood flow is restricted, oxygen can dissolve directly into plasma and reach the compromised tissue.
This increased oxygen helps the graft or flap establish a new blood supply faster, reducing the risk of failure.
Inflammation is a natural part of healing, but excessive swelling can compress tiny blood vessels and limit oxygen flow. HBOT reduces swelling and flushes out excess fluid, creating a more stable environment for healing.
This is particularly helpful for post-surgical recovery when controlling swelling is critical to the success of a graft or flap.
HBOT has powerful antibacterial effects. By flooding tissues with oxygen, it creates an environment where harmful bacteria struggle to survive.
In addition, HBOT may boost the body’s natural immune response, making white blood cells more effective at fighting infections. This is especially beneficial for patients at risk of post-surgical infections.
For a skin graft or flap to thrive, it must develop a new blood supply as quickly as possible. HBOT stimulates angiogenesis—the process of forming new blood vessels—by increasing the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
HBOT also activates fibroblasts, which are the cells responsible for collagen production and wound healing. This helps wounds close faster, minimizes scarring, and improves overall cosmetic and functional outcomes.
Patients who receive HBOT after skin graft or flap procedures typically experience:
HBOT does not replace surgical techniques, but it is an invaluable complementary therapy that can improve overall outcomes and help patients heal faster.
HBOT is most commonly recommended for patients who have:
Not all patients will need HBOT, but for those experiencing healing complications, it can be a lifesaving intervention.
If your doctor recommends HBOT, here’s what a typical treatment looks like:
The number of treatments varies based on the severity of the graft or flap compromise, but most patients undergo 20–40 sessions to see optimal results.
If you are recovering from a skin graft or flap procedure, ensuring proper oxygen delivery is crucial to preventing complications and promoting faster healing. HBOT offers a safe, effective, and non-invasive way to:
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our team today.