Fournier's gangrene: a retrospective clinical study on forty-one patients.

BACKGROUND

Fournier's gangrene, first described by Dr Jean Alfred Fournier in 1883, still has a high mortality rate. The prognosis and outcome of such patients were analysed.

METHODS

Forty-one patients with Fournier's gangrene were reviewed on the parameters of age, sex, aetiological agents, predisposing factors, treatment modalities and outcomes.

RESULTS

Although early intervention and careful treatment was carried out, nine of 41 patients (21.9%) died as a result of complications of septicemia. Among the treatment modalities, there were extensive debridement, drainage, excisions of the skin and fascia, colostomy procedure, extensive antibiotic treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Although a combination of different treatment modalities were used, the mortality rate was 21.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Fournier's gangrene is still a severe disease. Today, hyperbaric oxygen treatment is very effective in the treatment of this disease.