Management of perineal necrotizing fasciitis (Fournier's gangrene).

Eleven cases of perineal necrotizing fasciitis were treated in the Department of Surgery, University of Turku, Finland. In 10 cases the diagnosis was made on the basis of the fulminating progression of the infection to scrotal gangrene, identification of multiple underlying pathogenic organisms and toxaemia. In one female patient a corresponding infection developed in the labia majora. Each patient suffered nonspecific symptoms before the gangrene became evident. The management included surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue with incisions and drainage of the involved areas, antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment. The infection originated from the anorectal area in 5 patients, 1 patient had sustained scrotal trauma and in 5 cases the underlying condition was unknown. Colostomy was performed in 6 patients. One patient died 2 days after the admission. All the infections proved to be multimicrobial. Hyperbaric oxygenation was employed as a therapeutic adjunct in the present series, but it should neither replace nor delay surgical intervention. The key points in the management include early diagnosis with prompt surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. After healthy granulation has appeared, the healing time can be shortened with reconstructive surgical procedures.