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Fournier's gangrene: Exists and it is still lethal.

Safioleas M, Stamatakos M, Mouzopoulos G, Diab A, Kontzoglou K, Papachristodoulou A

2nd Propaedeutic Department of General Surgery, University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Background: Fournier's gangrene is an aggressive form of necrotizing fascitis of the perineal, perianal or genital regions, caused by a polymicrobial infection that includes virulent organisms. Patients and methods: Eleven cases of Fournier's gangrene were treated in our department during the last 20 years. Portals of entry were ischiorectal abscess, perirectal abscesses, scrotal abscess and trauma in the perianal area. The documents were analyzed according to clinical and epidemiologic patterns. Results: We dispensed systemic chemotherapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics, and performed surgical debridement for all patients. In addition, one patient was treated by local use of 100% oxygen, with excellent results in wound healing. All patients made a full recovery, except one who died of sepsis. Conclusion: These cases are presented with some notes underlying the reasons for the persisting incidence and mortality of this disease.

Published 12 December 2006 in Int Urol Nephrol.
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