Extensive necrotizing soft tissue infection of the perineum.
Synergistic necrotizing fasciitis of the penis and scrotum was first described by Fournier, and remains a rare, but life-threatening disease. The reported mortality rates in different series range between 22 and 60%. We present a study of 20 patients treated over a 9 year period by early aggressive excision. Four of the treated patients (20%) died. A high index of suspicion, combined with early radical surgical intervention, is the key to effective treatment. Delayed diagnosis and treatment were the primary factors responsible for death.
Ben-Aharon
U
U
Department of Surgery, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel.
Borenstein
A
A
Eisenkraft
S
S
Lifschitz
O
O
Leviav
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015984:Causality; D003646:Debridement; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D018934:Fournier Gangrene / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010502:Perineum; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome