HOLLT is an international multi-centre, randomised controlled
trial which aims to assess the benefit of providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO)
during the acute stages of management of severe lower leg injuries, as an adjunct
to normal trauma care. It is being conducted by an international network of trauma
centres with hyperbaric treatment facilities. The HOLLT Study Coordinating Centre
is within the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at Monash University,
Melbourne, Australia. The study design is based upon a pilot study previously undertaken
by The Alfred Hyperbaric Service which is located on the same campus.
The study commenced enrolments at The Alfred Hospital in January 2007 and at five
other collaborating sites over the course of 2007. A number
of additional sites plan to join the collaboration over the course of 2008. The
study aims to enrol its target of 250 subjects over approximately 3 years and follow
up will continue for two years after the last enrolment. At this stage, further
collaborators are still being sought.
The Transport Accident Commission has granted funding for the first 2.5 years of
operation of the Study Centre and Australia’s National Health and Medical Research
Council has recently granted a further five year of funding to cover the full duration
of follow up. This is a collaborative, investigator led study however and most of
the costs of enrolling patients at each study site are dependent upon collaborators
having local resources or achieving local funding to enable participation.
It is hoped that the collaboration formed to enable this study will provide the
basis for further studies in the future.
Dr Ian Millar
Principal Investigator
March, 2008 |
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Patients receiving Hyperbaric Treatment |