[Fournier's gangrene. Experience of the CMN SXXI Hospital].

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and review the Fournier's gangrene clinical presentation, initial APACHE II score and integral treatment of patients affected in HECMNSXXI.

METHODS

Retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study in 40 patients with Fournier's gangrene diagnosis, accepted for treatment in HECMNSXXI who gather inclusion criteria, from February 1996 to February 2006.

RESULTS

Patients were between 21 and 93 yr old. In total 39 men and 1 woman were recruited. The most common etiologic factor was urethral stricture in 40% of patients. Escherichia coli was detected in 42.5% of the cultures, and represented the most common pathogen. Initial Apache II score was more commonly between 10 and 14 points (35%). 6 patients died (15%) all of them with and Apache II score above 25 points. 55% of patients were affected by diabetes mellitus. All patients with Fournier's Gangrene received a triple antibiotic schema from admittance day, associated with emergency surgical dèbridement in the whole group.

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive and multidisciplinary treatment is mandatory in all the patients affected by Fournier's gangrene. We recommend utilisation of the APACHE II score as very useful tool to determine the prognosis.