Management of Fournier's gangrene--report of 7 cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Fournier's gangrene is a rare infection characterized with fast-progressing myonecrosis, that affect regions of perineum, genitalia and perianal area. This retrospective study presents authors' experiences and their principles in early diagnosis and treatment of Fournier's gangrene. The goal of this paper is to point out numerous diagnostically and therapeutic difficulties that lead to a high mortality if not recognized in time. We here describe seven male patients with myonecrosis and necrotising fasciitis in scrotal, perianal and perineal regions. Average age was 61 years (form 57 to 66 years of age), and average length of treatment was 25.8 days (from 14 to 36 days), with lethality of 14% (one case). We have recognised diabetes mellitus as risk factor, together with urethrostenosis, and other diseases of the perianal region (hemorrhoids, anal fissure, abscesses). Our hypothesis is that the key of the successful treatment is to treat as soon as symptoms onset, early and aggressive necrectomy under broad antibiotic protection. We also emphasize the possibility of recurrence of this disease even several years after treatment.