Introduction:
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been applied to urological wound healing because it reduces inflammation, facilitates angiogenesis through endothelial proliferation, stimulates fibroblast, lymphocyte, and macrophage activity, and exerts bactericidal effects. Thus, we present a case series of reconstructive urology wounds treated adjunctively with HBOT.
Case report:
Here, we present the cases of eight patients with urology wounds who underwent different forms of surgical reconstruction. Three patients received penile shaft silicone fluid injection with repeated infection, successful excision of a siliconoma mass, and defect closure with a full-thickness skin graft. One patient had hypospadias and multiple post-closure fistulae. Two patients had bilateral keystone flaps (post total penectomy, orchidectomy, perineotomy, and penile tumors) closed with a split-thickness skin graft (STSG). Two patients had Fournier's gangrene in their genital area, for which the wound was debrided and then closed with a STSG. All patients received HBOT after surgery with satisfying results.
Conclusion:
HBOT promotes wound healing and improves graft integration in patients undergoing urological reconstructive surgery.