Vacuum-assisted closure therapy in newborn gangrene.

Gangrene of the newborn or neonatal gangrene is very uncommon, and it usually involves the extremities. Neonatal gangrene seems to be more frequent in pregnancies related with spontaneous rupture of the amniotic sac leading to delayed delivery or dry labour. However, in most of the cases, no aetiological factor can be found. Foetal pressure necrosis and amniotic band sequence are two of the most common causes of this condition.Thrombosis, emboli, congenital heart disease, coagulopathy, sepsis and polycythaemia are some of the other aetiologic factors. Treatment of this condition is usually conservative and supportive. Conservative treatment includes adequate hydration, prevention from infections and allowing the involved area to demarcate in an aseptic environment. In some cases, surgical debridement and further reconstruction can be necessary. In order to prepare the wound bed for surgical closure after surgical debridement, vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy can be a new, highly effective method in the treatment of newborn gangrene. In this article, a case of a neonatal gangrene treated with the application of VAC therapy is presented. (c) 2009 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.