A 25-year-old male with colitis ulcerosa treated with prednisone was transferred to our department with a soft tissue defect at the left neck and upper left thorax after local necrosis following an abscess due to an erroneous puncture of a central line (Figure 2a ). After several debridements, applying vacuum- and antibiotic therapy combined with continuing a low dose prednisone therapy, the wound was vital and microbiologically free of bacteria. As reconstructive surgery, we decided to perform a supraclavicular artery island flap. The postoperative wound healing process showed no signs of infection with only a minor dehiscence at the drainage area so that we could discharge the patient with a good reconstructive result (Figure 2b ).\nHowever, following the necessity of increasing the prednisone therapy due to an acute period of colitis ulcerosa, the patient presented himself again 3 weeks after being discharged with multiple dehiscence around the elevation site of the supraclavicular flap with serous outflow. The microbiological tests showed no evidence of bacteria. After multiple debridements, the secondary wound was covered with skin grafts using MatriDerm® as dermal matrix (Figure 2c, d ). The young, immunocompromised patient could finally be discharged after an overall hospitalization stay of more than 12 weeks.
A 46-year-old male was presented to us with the fatal diagnosis of Fournier’s gangrene after receiving his first episodes of chemotherapy comprising of vincristine and prednisone due to a non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After an immediate debridement of the necrotic scrotal area reconstructive surgery was performed already two days later with loco-regional flaps from both sides. With good wound healing and stabilized overall condition, the patient could be discharged to rehab after being hospitalized for more than 12 weeks.