Treatment of Fournier's Gangrene With Vacuum-assisted Closure Therapy as Enhanced Recovery Treatment Modality
Athanasios Syllaios, Spyridon Davakis, Lysandros Karydakis, Michail Vailas, Nikolaos Garmpis, E Mpaili, Eleandros Kyros, Evangelos Felekouras, Alexandros Papalampros
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Fournier's gangrene is an uncommon, but extremely serious condition of necrotizing, soft tissue infection. There is a great debate regarding the management of larger defects and wound closure, with various techniques being described in the current literature. We aimed to present the surgical management of extensive Fournier's gangrene treated successfully with Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy, a novel approach to treatment algorithm that can lead to a paradigm shift. CASE: A 66-year-old male patient with Fournier's gangrene was treated with extensive surgical debridement, protective colostomy and VAC therapy. RESULTS: After initial extensive surgical debridement, VAC therapy significantly improved the clinical and aesthetic condition of the patient. CONCLUSION: VAC therapy in Fournier's gangrene patients may be a safe and effective technique with favorable clinical outcomes, by improving and enhancing wound healing and recovery.