title: Fournier's gangrene: evaluation of 68 patients and analysis of prognostic variables.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a rapidly progressing acute gangrenous infection of the anorectal and urogenital area.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to investigate patients with FG and to determine risk factors that affect mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical presentations and outcomes of surgical treatments were evaluated in 68 patients with FG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chi-square, Student's t -test, and logistic regression test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of patients was 54 and female-to-male ratio was 9:59. Among the predisposing factors, diabetes mellitus (DM) was the most common ( n =24, 35.3%), and sepsis on admission was detected in 31 (45.6%) and 15 (22.1%) patients, respectively. Seven (10.3%) patients died. Using logistic regression test, Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI)> 9, DM and sepsis on admission were found as prognostic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FG has a high mortality rate, especially in patients with DM and sepsis. An FGSI value> 9 indicates high mortality rate.
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Clinic, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. drhru@mynet.com
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Unalp
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kamer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Derici
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Atahan
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Balci
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Demirdoven
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nazli
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Onal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D018934:Fournier Gangrene / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome