Comparison of Vacuum Assisted Closure and Conventional Dressing in Fournier Gangrene Treatment

Objective: In this study, we aimed to com- pare the outcomes of patients who underwent Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) and conventional rivanol dressing (RD) treatment after surgical debridement due to Fournier Gangrene in our clinic. Materials and Methods: Ninety-six patients treated at our clinic for Fournier Gangrene were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups; VAC applied patients (Group A, n = 56) and conventional RD applied patients (Group B, n = 40) after debridement. Patient’s demographic data, duration of hospital stay, secondary debridement requirements, necrosis area, and location, wound healing times, urethral stricture history, perioperative colostomy requirement, percutaneous cystostomy requirement, orchiectomy need, septic shock presence, etiology of Fournier Gangrene, mortality rate and Fournier Gangrene Severity Index Score were compared. Independent Groups t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test and Fish- er’s exact test were used for statistical analysis. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. Results: The duration of hospitalization (days) and wound healing time were shorter (p = 0.018 and p = 0.026) and the number of pa- tients requiring secondary debridement was less (p = 0.011) in the VAC applied group. In the multivariate regression analysis, the size of the necrosis area, wound healing time, perioperative colostomy requirement, the presence of septic shock and Fournier Gangrene Severity Index Score were independent variables that significantly affected the mortality rate. Conclusions: Fournier Gangrene is a disease that may be a significant cause of mortality despite the alternative treatment methods. VAC is an important postoperative treatment and wound-care method, with a shorter hospitalization period and faster recovery time