[Perineoscrotal gangrene: report of 51 cases. Diagnostic and therapeutic features].
OBJECTIVE
To approach the treatment of Fournier's gangrene. So, pathophysiology and etiology are recalled.


METHODS
The authors present 51 cases of Fournier's gangrene treated from 1989 to 1998, their age ranged from 19 to 89 years. Data were collected on admission signs and symptoms, physical examination. Aggressive surgical debridement of all necrotic tissues was performed, Intravenous antibiotics and resuscitation fluid were also administered.


RESULTS
All patients were male. In 20 cases (39%), there was no identifiable cause, and in 31 cases (61%), the etiology of gangrene was urethral (33%), anorectal (28%) and unknown (19%). The average hospital stay was 30 days. Three cases underwent unilateral orchidectomy, six colostomy and in 17 cases, a suprapubic catheter was inserted. Mortality was high (18%) and essentially associated to debilated state and toxi-infectious context.


CONCLUSIONS
Fournier's gangrene is a true urologic emergency potential lethal, which requires aggressive antibiotic and surgical treatment.
Tazi
K
K
Service d'urologie B, CHU Ibn Sina, Rabat, Maroc.
Karmouni
T
T
el Fassi
J
J
el Khader
K
K
Koutani
A
A
Hachimi
M
M
Lakrissa
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018934:Fournier Gangrene / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010502:Perineum; D012611:Scrotum