Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open (May 2024)

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Gas Gangrene of the Fingertip with Prolonged Infection

  • Yasufumi Okamoto, MD,
  • Kazuhiro Maeda, MD, PhD,
  • Mitsuhito Yukawa, MD,
  • Reiji Nishimura, MD, PhD,
  • Yuji Nagamine, MD,
  • Yuka Hadano, MD,
  • Ayano Mandai, MD,
  • Jun Udaka, MD, PhD,
  • Takeshi Miyawaki, MD, PhD,
  • Mitsuru Saito, MD, PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000005782
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 5
p. e5782

Abstract

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Background:. We encountered a case of infected soft tissue defect of the fingertip treated using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). The development of NPWT was started in the early 1990s, and it is a relatively new treatment method included in insurance coverage in Japan in 2010. NPWT is used for intractable wounds; some reports have examined its use on infected wounds. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has examined its use on infected fingertip wounds. Methods:. A patient with an infected soft tissue defect in the fingertip whose epithelialization period was prolonged despite continued antibiotic therapy was treated using NPWT in combination. Results:. After NPWT was started, signs of infection and wound granulation were good. Additionally, completion of epithelialization was confirmed 7 weeks after NPWT started. Conclusions:. Conventionally, skin flap or graft by hand surgeons have been performed on fingertip soft tissue defects with infection. NPWT does not require specialized and advanced surgical techniques; treatment for infected soft tissue defects can be administered by anyone if they have the required skills. In conclusion, NPWT may be considered a suitable alternative when treatment options such as flaps and skin grafts are not feasible.