Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and Fournier’s gangrene: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Fournier’s gangrene is a rare, rapidly progressive necrotizing soft tissue infection of the genitals and perineum that continues to carry a high mortality rate. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been proposed as an adjunctive treatment, but its efficacy remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing hyperbaric oxygen therapy with standard care in adults with Fournier’s gangrene. A comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science identified thirteen retrospective studies including 322 patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and 366 controls. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was associated with a significantly lower mortality rate compared with control groups. Secondary outcomes, including hospital length of stay and number of debridements, showed inconsistent results and did not differ significantly between groups. These findings suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may reduce mortality in patients with Fournier’s gangrene and could be considered as an adjunctive therapy.