Treatment of wounds colonized by multidrug resistant organisms in immune-compromised patients: a retrospective case series

BACKGROUND: Immune-compromised patients incur a high risk of surgical wound dehiscence and colonization by multidrug resistant organisms. Common treatment has been debridement and spontaneous secondary healing. METHODS: All immune-compromised patients referred to our Institution between March 1, 2010 and November 30, 2011 for dehiscent abdominal wounds growing multidrug resistant organisms were treated by serial wound debridements and negative pressure dressing. They were primarily closed, despite positive microbiological cultures, when clinical appearance was satisfactory. RESULTS: Nine patients were treated by direct wound closure, five had been treated previously by secondary intention healing. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, fast healing can be safely obtained by closure of a clinically healthy wound, despite growth of multidrug resistant organisms, even in immune-compromised patients.