Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Silver Base Dressing for Necrotizing Fasciitis

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening infection requiring urgent surgical and medical therapy. Hemodynamic stabilization and antimicrobial therapy precede aggressive surgical excision of necrotic tissue, which should be performed as soon as possible. The rapidly spreading infection and aggressive surgical intervention create challenges for wound management. Multiple dressings are available to address the various challenges associated with management of these wounds; this article discusses negative pressure therapy and antimicrobial dressings in the management of Fournier's gangrene, a form of necrotizing fasciitis that involves tissue of the genital or perianal areas. CASE PRESENTATION: This article reviews the case of a 56-year-old man with fever, tachycardia, and perianal pain associated with necrotizing fasciitis. Extensive surgical debridement was done on the day of admission. After several irrigations, the wound was dressed by negative pressure wound therapy with a silver dressing that minimized hospital stay and enabled early reconstruction. CONCLUSION: We found that negative pressure wound therapy with a silver-based dressing promoted wound healing and provided a solid matrix for surgical reconstruction.