Honey in the treatment of Fournier's gangrene as an adjuvant: a cross sectional study.

Abstract

Fournier's gangrene is a progressive polymicrobial necrotising infection. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of Fournier's gangrene infection in patients who received topical honey with their therapeutic regimens. The cross-sectional study included 17 patients with Fournier's gangrene. Under spinal anaesthesia, the necrotic areas were debrided. In the first week, every day, the wounds were cleansed with Betadine, normal saline, and 2% oxygenated water, then 30-50cc of honey was used after the wounds were dried. The wounds were then dressed. This method of dressing was taught to the patients' attendants. The granulation tissues, generally bright pink, were observed on the 10th day. Four (23.5%) patients underwent colostomy and 1 (5.9%) died. All the patients were discharged two weeks after the initial debridement. Compared with other studies, honey reduced the healing and hospitalisation time as well as additional costs.