HYPERBARIC-OXYGEN THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF FOURNIERS-DISEASE IN 11MALE-PATIENTS

Purpose: Optimal tissue oxygenation, as obtained by hyperbaric oxygen therapy, potentiates or restores the host's bactericidal mechanisms an d wound healing activity in patients afflicted by serious synergeic ae robic and anaerobic infections of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissu es. Furthermore, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a direct toxic effect o n anaerobic bacteria. We describe our experience with hyperbaric oxyge n therapy in the treatment of 11 patients with Fournier's syndrome. Ma terials and Methods: The average age of our patients was 59.5 years; t he most common predisposing condition was diabetes. All patients were treated with antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (minimum 5 and maximum 24 cycles, consisting of 90 minutes 2.5 atmosphere abso lute pressure). Furthermore, 6 of these patients underwent surgical de bridement of the wounds and 3 patients underwent delayed reconstructiv e surgery. Results: The results we obtained with hyperbaric oxygen the rapy as an adjunctive measure for the treatment of these infections we re excellent; our mortality rate for Fournier's disease was 0. Moreove r, no complications whatsoever were observed. Furthermore, the 3 patie nts who underwent delayed corrective surgery presented with well heale d tissues and their operations were not complicated by infections or o ther pathological conditions. Conclusions: We believe that our finding s, although limited in number, underline the excellent results that ca n be obtained with hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunct treatment i n Fournier's disease.