Terapia de oxígeno hiperbárico complementaria al desbridamiento en el control de la gangrena de Fournier: utilidad de la puntuación de un índice de severidad en la predicción de la gravedad de la enfermedad y la supervivencia del paciente / Hyperbaric oxygen therapy adjunctive to surgical debridement in management of Fournier’s gangrene: usefulness of a severity index score in predicting disease gravity and patient survival

Introducción: La terapia de oxígeno hiperbárico (TOHB) concomitante con la cirugía ha demostrado una mejora en la reducción de la mortalidad por gangrena de Fournier (GF) en comparación con la aplicación exclusiva de desbridamiento quirúrgico. La mayoría de los datos provienen de centros con un número relativamente reducido de pacientes, y en los que se emplea solamente un procedimiento quirúrgico. El objetivo planteado consistía en evaluar la eficiencia del desbridamiento agresivo con TOHB complementaria, así como evaluar el valor predictivo del índice de puntuación de gravedad de la gangrena de Fournier (IGGF). Material y métodos: 70 gangrenas de Fournier (GF) tratadas con desbridamiento quirúrgico y TOHB. Los datos evaluados fueron los resultados de las exploraciones físicas, los análisis de laboratorio tanto en el momento del ingreso como los finales, la extensión del desbridamiento quirúrgico y el antibiótico utilizado. Los pacientes recibieron TOHB complementaria. Se desarrolló un IGGF con el fin de adjudicar una puntuación que describiese la gravedad de la enfermedad. Este índice tiene en cuenta las constantes vitales de los pacientes, los parámetros metabólicos (niveles de sodio, potasio, creatinina y bicarbonato, así como recuento de linfocitos) y calcula una puntuación relativa a la gravedad de la enfermedad en ese momento. Se evaluaron los datos en función de la supervivencia o no del paciente. Todos los pacientes fueron sometidos a desbridamiento quirúrgico, realizándose el desbridamiento de la herida de forma periódica en el periodo postoperatorio. Resultados: De un total de 70 pacientes fallecieron 8 (el 11,4%) y sobrevivieron 62 (el 88,5%). La diferencia de edad entre los supervivientes (edad media 50,0 años) y no supervivientes (edad media 54,5 años) no fue significativa (p = 0,321). La extensión media del área del cuerpo afectada por el proceso de necrosis en los pacientes que sobrevivieron y en los que no sobrevivieron era del 2,4 y del 4,9%, respectivamente (p = 0,001). Excepto en lo referente a la albúmina, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre supervivientes y no supervivientes. Las puntuaciones medias en el IGGF en el momento del ingreso de los supervivientes y de los no supervivientes fueron de 2,1±2,0 y de 4,2±3,8, (p = 0,331). Conclusión: La puntuación del IGGF no resultó ser un factor de predicción de la gravedad, de la enfermedad ni de la supervivencia del paciente. Sin embargo, tanto las alteraciones metabólicas como la extensión de la enfermedad aparecieron como factores significativos de riesgo en cuanto a predicción de la gravedad de la GF y la supervivencia del paciente (AU)

Introduction: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) concomitant to surgery has been reported to reduce Fournier’s gangrene (FG) mortality compared to exclusive surgical debridement. Most report from centers with relatively few patients using only surgical procedure. To assess efficiency of aggressive debridement with adjunctive HBOT. To evaluate Fournier’s gangrene severity score index (FGSI) predictive value. Material and methods: 70 Fournier’s gangrene (FG) treated by surgical debridement and HBOT. Data were evaluated physical examination findings, admission and final laboratory tests, surgical debridement extent, and antibiotic used. Patients had adjunctive (HBOT). FGSI, developed toa ssign a score describing the acuity of disease, was used. This index presents patients’ vital signs, metabolic parameters (sodium, potassium, creatinine, and bicarbonate levels, and white blood cell count) and computes a score relating to the severity of disease at that time. Data were assessed according to whether the patient survived or died. All patients underwent surgical debridement. Wound debridement was regularly performed in the post operative period. Results: Of 70 patients, 8 died (11.4%) and 62 survived (88.5%). Difference in age between survivors (median age, 50.0 yr) and non survivors (median age, 54.5 yr) was not significant (p = 0.321). Median extent of body surface area involved in necrotizing process in patients who survived and did not survive was 2.4% and 4.9%, respectively (p = 0.001). Except for albumin, no significant differences were found between survivors and non survivors. Median admission FGSI scores for survivors and non survivors were 2.1±2.0 and 4.2±3.8, (p = 0.331).Conclusion: FGSI score did not predict disease severity and the patient’s survival. Metabolic aberrations, extent of disease seemed to be important risk factors for predicting FG severity and patient survival (AU)

Pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma/undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma of the scrotum in a patient presenting as fournier gangrene: a case report.

Pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), also known as undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma according to the latest World Health Organization classification, is a diagnosis of exclusion and extremely rare in adult scrotal/paratesticular region. Clinical presentation of scrotal/paratesticular pleomorphic MFH is usually a painless and gradual scrotal swelling. We report a case of scrotal MFH in a 63-year-old man who presented as Fournier gangrene after 10-month painful scrotal swelling and multiple procedures. The specimen of emergent debridement was submitted for pathologic and bacteriologic examination. Microscopically, the lesion had marked architectural and cytologic pleomorphism. The neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin, but negative for all lineage-specific markers. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization showed an aneuploid karyotype and negative results for lipomatous tumor abnormalities. Bacterial cultures of the specimen showed extensive growth of virulent polymicrobes. The diagnosis of scrotal/paratesticular pleomorphic MFH with concurrent Fournier gangrene was made. Thoracic computed tomography scan showed bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules. The patient died 1 month later.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in acute necrotizing infections with a special reference to the effects on tissue gas tensions.

Clostridial gas gangrene and perineal necrotizing fasciitis or Fournier's gangrene are rare but serious infections with an acute onset, rapid progression, systemic toxemia and a high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of surgery, antibiotic treatment, surgical intensive care and in particular the role of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in the management of these infections. An experimental rat model was used to investigate the possibilities for measuring tissue oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions during hyperbaric oxygen treatment. In addition to this preliminary experimental study, Silastic tube tonometer and capillary sampling techniques were tested to measure the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on subcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions in patients with necrotizing fasciitis and healthy controls. Between January 1971 and April 1997, 53 patients with Clostridial gas gangrene were treated in the Department of Surgery, University of Turku. The patients underwent surgical debridement, broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and a series of hyperbaric oxygen treatments at 2.5 atmospheres absolute pressure (ATA). Twelve patients died (22.6%). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in gas gangrene seems to be life-, limb- and tissue saving. Early diagnosis remains essential. Patient survival can be improved if the disease is recognized early and appropriate therapy instituted promptly. Between February 1971 and September 1996, 33 patients with perineal necrotizing fasciitis were treated in the Department of Surgery, University of Turku. The management included surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue with incisions and drainage of the involved areas, antibiotic therapy, hyperbaric oxygen treatment at 2.5 ATA pressure and surgical intensive care. Three patients died giving a mortality rate of 9.1%. The survivors received hyperbaric oxygen therapy for 2-12 times. Our results indicate that hyperbaric oxygenation is an important therapeutic adjunct in the treatment of Fournier's gangrene. Electrical equipment should not be used unsheltered in a hyperbaric chamber due to the increased risk of fire. The subcutaneous tissue gas tensions of rats were therefore measured using a subcutaneously implanted Silastic tube tonometer and a capillary sampling technique. The method was successfully adapted to hyperbaric conditions. The subcutaneous oxygen tension levels increased five fold and the carbon dioxide tension levels two fold compared to initial levels. The PO2 and PCO2 of subcutaneous tissue and arterial blood were measured directly in six patients with necrotizing fasciitis and three healthy volunteers in normobaric conditions and during hyperbaric oxygen exposure at 2.5 ATA pressure. The measurements were carried out in healthy tissue and at the same time in the vicinity of the infected area of the patients. During HBO at 2.5 ATA subcutaneous oxygen tensions increased several fold from baseline values and carbon dioxide tensions also increased, but to a lesser degree in both healthy and infected tissues. When examining the subcutaneous PO2 levels measured from patients with necrotizing fasciitis, the PO2 was regularly higher in the vicinity of the infected area than in healthy tissue. In general, HBO treatment resulted in a marked increase in tissue oxygenation in both healthy tissue and in the vicinity of infected tissue. The hyper-oxygenated tissue zone surrounding the infected area may be of significance in preventing the extension of invading microorganisms.