Abstract:
To evaluate the effect of surgical wound debridement, antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in the treatment of Fournier gangrene (FG). Forty-one patients with a mean age of 54.3±14.6 years were referred to our department with a diagnosis of FG. To calculate a Fourier Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI), nine factors were assessed (temperature; heart rate; ventilatory rate; serum sodium, potassium, creatinine, and bicarbonate concentrations; hematocrit; and leukocyte count). After clinical stabilization, extensive debridement of the necrotic tissue was performed, and a surgical vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.®) device was applied. Hyperbaric oxygen was administered; medical therapy consisted of intravenous antibiotics, electrolyte replacement, and parenteral nutrition. Intraoperative cultures revealed Escherichia coli in 27 patients (66%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 28 (68%), gram-positive cocci in 24 (59%), and mixed flora (aerobic and anaerobic bacteria) in 39 (95%). One month after primary debridement, wound granulation was sufficient for plastic surgical reconstruction in all patients. Because of the rapid worsening of FG, early diagnosis and immediate, aggressive multi-modality therapy with surgical debridement and broad-spectrum empiric antibiotics is crucial. The utility of HBO remains unproved.
Wagner, Greco, Hoda, Kawan, Heynemann, Fornara, , , (2011). Is intensive multimodality therapy the best treatment for fournier gangrene? Evaluation of clinical outcome and survival rate of 41 patients. Surgical infections, 2011 Oct;12(5):379-83. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21943303