What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective single-center study involving 192 patients with necrotizing fasciitis or Fournier's gangrene to evaluate in-hospital mortality and outcomes based on patient, disease, and treatment characteristics, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
What They Found
The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 27.6%. Factors significantly associated with increased mortality included higher age, multiple affected localizations (odds ratio=2.88), ineligibility for HBOT (odds ratio=8.59), pathogens in blood cultures (odds ratio=3.36), complications (odds ratio=10.35), and sepsis/organ dysfunction (odds ratio=19.58). Patients treated with HBOT (n=83) and those not requiring it (n=98) had similar survival rates (73.5% vs. 75.5%).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study suggests that while HBOT may be considered, its direct impact on survival for necrotizing soft tissue infections might not be superior to standard care in eligible patients. Prompt and aggressive surgical debridement, along with managing complications and sepsis, remains critical for improving patient outcomes.
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted in Canada and does not have direct Canadian relevance.
Study Limitations
The retrospective, single-center design limits the generalizability of these findings and the ability to establish causality for HBOT's effectiveness.