The use of vacuum assisted closure therapy in the management of Fournier's gangrene.
BACKGROUND
Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC; Kinetic Concepts, Inc., San Antonio, TX) has been used to successfully treat a variety of complex wounds. This technique was investigated for use in managing Fournier's gangrene following initial debridement.


METHODS
Ten patients with Fournier's gangrene were treated in this study. After initial surgical debridement, 5 were treated using conventional therapy and 5 were treated with VAC at each dressing change. The effectiveness and cost of VAC for this indication were assessed; patient and physician satisfaction were also determined.


RESULTS
Conventional and VAC treatment were equally effective in healing the wounds. The total costs of each treatment were similar. With the use of VAC, patients had fewer dressing changes, less pain, fewer skipped meals, and greater mobility. Hands-on treatment time was decreased for physicians using VAC.


CONCLUSIONS
VAC therapy is an effective and economical way to manage Fournier's gangrene. Patients and physicians were more satisfied with VAC therapy than with conventional treatment.
Ozturk
Ersin
E
Department of General Surgery 16069, Uludag University Faculty of Medicine, Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey. drozturk@uludag.edu.tr
Ozguc
Halil
H
Yilmazlar
Tuncay
T
D000328:Adult; D001458:Bandages; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D018934:Fournier Gangrene / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000191:economics; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D014945:Wound Healing