Epidemiological characteristics of Fournier's gangrene: a report of 71 patients.
BACKGROUND
To identify the predisposing factors, etiological and clinical characteristics as well as the Fournier's gangrene (FG) severity index (FGSI) in the outcomes of patients with FG.


METHODS
The data from 71 patients diagnosed with FG in a period of 17 years were retrospectively reviewed for the age of the patient, their history, predisposing factors, etiology, prodromal symptoms, FGSI, culture results, hospitalization period, surgical interventions, responses to the therapy and complications.


RESULTS
All of the patients were Caucasian males, and the mean age was 61.3 (range 36-92) years. The mean duration from the onset of symptoms to surgery was 7.5 days. The mean hospitalization time was 27.4 days and the most common etiological factor for FG was a perineal abscess. The overall mortality rate was 29.6%. The relationship between the number of predisposing factors and mortality rates in patients with FG was the most statistically significant parameter (p = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple predisposing factors predict a poor prognosis and correlate significantly with mortality. Extension of the disease and the FGSI score were not predictive of outcome. The most essential intervention for stopping the rapidly progressing infectious process of FG consists of early recognition of the disease, proper management of the predisposing factors and aggressive surgical debridement. Such an intervention can improve clinical outcomes.
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Çukurova, Adana, Turkey.
I Atilla
IA
Aridogan
Volkan
V
Izol
Deniz
D
Abat
Onur
O
Karsli
Yildirim
Y
Bayazit
Nihat
N
Satar
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015984:Causality; D018934:Fournier Gangrene / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index