@article{AnheuserM{\"u}hlst{\"a}dtKranzetal.2018,
  author    = {Anheuser, Petra and M{\"u}hlst{\"a}dt, Sandra and Kranz, Jennifer and Schneidewind, Laila and Steffens, Joachim and Fornara, Paolo},
  title     = {Significance of Hyperbaric Oxygenation in the Treatment of Fournier's Gangrene: A Comparative Study},
  journal   = {Urologia Internationalis},
  volume    = {101},
  number    = {4},
  issn      = {0042-1138},
  doi       = {10.1159/000493898},
  institution = {Kliniken und Polikliniken f{\"u}r Innere Medizin},
  pages     = {467 -- 471},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Introduction: Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO), in addition to anti-infective and surgical therapy, seems to be a key treatment point for Fournier's gangrene. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of HBO therapy on the outcome and prognosis of Fournier's gangrene. Patients and Methods: In the present multicenter, retrospective observational study, we evaluated the data of approximately 62 patients diagnosed with Fournier's gangrene between 2007 and 2017. For comparison, 2 groups were distinguished: patients without HBO therapy (group A, n = 45) and patients with HBO therapy (group B, n = 17). The analysis included sex, age, comorbidities, clinical symptoms, laboratory and microbiological data, debridement frequency, wound dressing, antibiotic use, outcome and prognosis. The statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism 7® (GraphPad Software, Inc., La Jolla, USA). Results: Demographic data showed no significant differences. The laboratory parameters C-reactive protein and urea were significantly higher in group B (group B: 301.7 vs. 140.6 mg/dL; group A: 124.8 vs. 54.7 mg/dL). Sepsis criteria were fulfilled in 77.8 and 100\% of the patients in groups A and B respectively. Treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) was therefore indicated in 69\% of the patients in group A and 100\% of the patients in group B. The mean ICU stay was 9 and 32 days for patients in groups A and B respectively. The wound debridement frequency and hospitalization stay were significantly greater in group B (13 vs. 5 debridement and 40 vs. 22 days). Initial antibiosis was test validated in 80\% of the patients in group A and 76.5\% of the patients in group B. Mortality was 0\% in group B and 4.4\% in the group A. Conclusion: The positive influence of HBO on the treatment of Fournier's gangrene can be estimated only from the available data. Despite poorer baseline findings with comparable risk factors, mortality was 0\% in the HBO group. The analysis of a larger patient cohort is desirable to increase the significance of the results.},
  subject      = {-},
  language  = {en}
}