Synergistic gangrene of the scrotum and penis secondary to colorectal disease

Abstract

We recently encountered 5 patients with synergistic gangrene of the genitalia secondary to colorectal disease. This number of cases suggests that there may be an increasing incidence of this entity that has been reported only several times in the past. Pseudomonas was one of the organisms cultured in all cases. Because of the high mortality rate we advocate aggressive therapy, consisting of early and repeated radical débridement into normal tissues and appropriate management of the colorectal source of contamination. Our experience indicates that the lower gastrointestinal tract should be considered as a possible cause of infection in all cases of synergistic gangrene of the scrotum and penis.