TREATMENT OF COMPLICATED DEEP SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS BY A COMBINATION OF NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY AND INTRALESIONAL TOPICAL APPLICATION WITH STABLE OZONIDES OZOILE® FIRST CASES IN BULGARIA

Abstract

Introduction. Severe necrotizing soft tissue infections (SNSTI) are life-threatening conditions that require timely diagnosis and immediate surgical treatment. As part of the comprehensive treatment of severe fasciitis, the application of a new method of treatment, combined permanent negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and Ozoile ®, stable ozonides from organic extra- virgin olive oil +OIL®, may be considered. The aim is a retrospective analysis of patients with severe soft tissue infections treated at the First Surgical Clinic of UMHAT "Dr. G. Stranski" LtD - Pleven with NPWT negative pressure and topical applications of Ozoile ®, stable ozonides from organic extra- virgin olive oil +OIL® and to compare the final results and outcome with group patients treated by conventional methods and NPWT alone. Materials and methods. A retrospective, randomized study over 1 year (March 2022- March 2023), including 84 patients with SNSTI treated surgically with NPWT and local ozone therapy; 35 with NPWT and 170 by fasciotomy, wound debridement, and wound lavages. Results. A total of 232 patients with SNSTI were divided into three subgroups according to treatment strategy. NPWT with local ozone therapy has a significantly shorter hospital stay (p<0,05), time to sterilization (p<0,05), and faster epithelization rate (p<0,05), compared with the conventional treatment strategy. Conclusion The NPWT combines with topica application of Ozoile® and stable ozonides is a novel and effective method for the treatment of SNSTI.