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

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.