Fournier's gangrene: our experience of 10 cases

Abstract

Fournier's gangrene, described for the first time by Alfred Jean Fournier in 1883, is a very uncommon disease.

It is characterized by an acute process of cellulites and necrotizing fasciitis of the external genitalia, perineum and abdominal wall; its mortality rate is about 30–50%.

We retrospectively reviewed 10 patients affected by Fournier's gangrene admitted to our Department of Urology from 1997 to 2006. At a mean follow-up of 37 months (range 0–108) 7 patients are alive and disease free, 1 patient is alive bearing the signs of the gangrene, and 2 patients died because of the disease complications.

We have noted that patients’ survival depends on early intervention and extremely aggressive approach. The combination of these factors with antibiotic therapy and supportive care have made this disease treatable and curable.