Fournier gangrene is a rare but highly
infectious disease characterized by fulminant
necrotizing fasciitis involving the genital and perineal regions.
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT; KCI USA Inc, San Antonio, TX) is a widely adopted technique in many clinical settings. Nevertheless, its application and effect in the treatment of
Fournier gangrene are unclear. A 47-year-old male patient was admitted with an anal
abscess followed by a spread of the
infection to the scrotum, which was caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. NPWT was applied on the surface of the scrotal area and continued for 10 days. A split-thickness skin graft from the scalp was then grafted to the
wound, after which, NPWT utilizing gauze sealed with an
occlusive dressing and connected to a wall suction was employed for 7 days to secure the skin graft. At discharge, the percentage of the grafted skin alive on the scrotum was 98%. The
wound beside the anus had decreased to 4 × 0.5 cm with a depth of 1 cm. Follow-up at the clinic 1 month later showed that both
wounds had healed. The patient did not complain of any
pain or
bleeding, and was satisfied with the outcome. NPWT before and after split-thickness skin grafts is safe, well tolerated, and efficacious in the treatment of
Fournier gangrene.