How HBOT Speeds Healing & Prevents Skin Graft Complications

How HBOT Speeds Healing & Prevents Skin Graft Complications

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.

Why Do Skin Grafts and Flaps Sometimes Struggle to Heal?

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.

Common Reasons Grafts and Flaps May Struggle to Heal:

• Poor circulation – The new tissue may not receive enough blood flow.
• Inflammation and swelling – Can compress blood vessels and limit oxygen supply.
• Infection – Grafts and flaps are vulnerable to bacteria, which can slow healing.
• Oxygen deprivation (ischemia) – A lack of oxygen can cause tissue death (necrosis).

When these issues arise, HBOT can be a game-changer by supplying oxygen directly to the tissues that need it most.

How HBOT Helps Skin Grafts & Flaps Heal Faster and Stronger

1. Increases Oxygen Supply to Struggling Tissues

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.

2. Reduces Swelling and Inflammation

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.

3. Prevents Infection and Strengthens the Immune System

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.

4. Speeds Up Tissue Regeneration and New Blood Vessel Growth

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.

5. Enhances Long-Term Graft and Flap Success

Patients who receive HBOT after skin graft or flap procedures typically experience:

•  Higher graft/flap survival rates
• Faster healing times
• Less pain and discomfort
• Reduced risk of scarring and contractures
• Fewer complications, such as infections or tissue necrosis

HBOT does not replace surgical techniques, but it is an invaluable complementary therapy that can improve overall outcomes and help patients heal faster.

Who Can Benefit from HBOT After a Skin Graft or Flap Surgery?

HBOT is most commonly recommended for patients who have:

• Compromised grafts or flaps that are showing signs of poor healing
• Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or vascular disease that may slow healing
• Post-surgical swelling or inflammation that is restricting blood flow
• Infections or a high risk of infection
• Burn injuries, chronic wounds, or radiation-damaged tissue

Not all patients will need HBOT, but for those experiencing healing complications, it can be a lifesaving intervention.

What to Expect During an HBOT Session

If your doctor recommends HBOT, here’s what a typical treatment looks like:

1. You will enter a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, where the air pressure is increased to 1.5 to 3 times normal atmospheric pressure.
2. You will breathe in 100% oxygen, allowing your blood plasma to become fully saturated with oxygen.
3. Each session lasts 60 to 90 minutes, and patients usually need multiple treatments for maximum benefit.
4. The process is painless and relaxing—many patients listen to music, watch TV, or even nap during their session.

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.

Why HBOT is a Game-Changer for Skin Graft and Flap Recovery

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:

• Improve graft and flap survival
• Increase oxygen delivery to damaged tissue
• Reduce swelling and prevent infections
• Speed up healing and minimize scarring

For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our team today.