The safe treatment, monitoring and management of severe traumatic brain injury patients in a monoplace chamber.

This report describes how 27 patients with severe traumatic brain injury were safely treated, monitored and managed in a monoplace chamber that was compressed with air to 1.5 atmospheres absolute (152 kPa). A total of 75 hyperbaric oxygen treatments were delivered using the monoplace system described, with all patients receiving 100% oxygen via mechanical ventilation. Specific pieces of equipment, components and features were selected, and modifications were interfaced to safely and effectively treat these critically ill patients in a monoplace chamber. Patient monitoring included cardiovascular and ventilatory parameters as well as intracranial pressure, brain tissue oxygen levels, brain temperature and cerebral microdialysis. The chamber and all the supporting equipment for ventilating, monitoring and managing the patient functioned well.