Pyoderma gangrenosum: Guideline for wound practitioners

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an atypical ulceration of the skin with unknown aetiology, usually associated with autoimmune systemic illnesses and haematological malignancies. Diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion and exclusion of other conditions. Treatment options vary greatly, ranging from conservative local and systemic immunosuppression to surgical measures, including amputation, but none is shown to be universally effective. Currently no guideline regarding escalation of treatment exists. Based on a review of the current literature and three illustrative cases of PG, a working treatment guideline is presented for wound practitioners.