[Aspirin in decompression sickness].

OBJECTIVE: We have performed a survey on the use of aspirin in decompression sickness (DCS) treatment in French hyperbaric centers'. We also conducted a review of literature to determine if aspirin was beneficial to treat human victims of DCS.

METHODS: Prospective observational study investigating French hyperbaric centers' prescription of aspirin to DCS' divers victims. The question we asked by mail or phone to French hyperbaric centers was: Do you give some aspirin to a diver with DCS if this treatment has not been given yet (on the site of accident).

RESULTS: A large majority of French hyperbaric centers (77.5%) consider aspirin in DCS treatment. However this practice is not consensual. There is no evidence from the literature to support the efficiency of aspirin in DCS.

CONCLUSIONS: Although aspirin is widely used for DCS treatment in France, more research is needed to determine if aspirin is useful.