scholarly journals Fournier's Gangrene: A Summary of 10 Years of Clinical Experience

2015 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 934-941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Oguz ◽  
Metehan Gümüş ◽  
Ahmet Turkoglu ◽  
Zübeyir Bozdağ ◽  
Burak Veli Ülger ◽  
...  

We aimed to present our clinical experience with FG treatment. Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a rare but serious disease characterized by progressive necrosis in the genitourinary and perineal region. The retrospective study included 43 patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups as survivors and nonsurvivors. Included in the analysis were data pertaining to demographics, predisposing factors, comorbidities, results of bacteriologic analyses, number of debridements, duration of treatment, FG Severity Index (FGSI) score, fecal diversion methods (trephine ostomy or Flexi-Seal Fecal Management System-FMS), and dressing methods (wet or negative aspiration system). In the nonsurvivor group, urea, WBC, and age were significantly higher, whereas albumin, hematocrit, platelet count, and length of hospital stay (LOHS) were significantly lower compared to the survivor group. Mean FGSI was lower in survivors in comparison with nonsurvivors (5.00 ± 1.86 and 10.00 ± 1.27, respectively; P < 0.001). We conclude that FGSI is an important predictor in the prognosis of FG. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) should be performed in compliant patients in order to enhance patient comfort by reducing pain and the number of dressings. Fecal diversion should be performed as needed, preferably by using FMS. The trephine ostomy should be the method of choice in cases where an ostomy is necessary.

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Tarchouli ◽  
Ahmed Bounaim ◽  
Mohamed Essarghini ◽  
Moulay Brahim Ratbi ◽  
Mohamed Said Belhamidi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Fournier’s gangrene is a rapidly progressing necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and genital area associated with a high mortality rate. We presented our experience in managing this entity and identified prognostic factors affecting mortality.Methods: We carried out a retrospective study of 72 patients treated for Fournier’s gangrene at our institution between January 2005 and December 2014. Patients were divided into survivors and nonsurvivors and potential prognostic factors were analyzed.Results: Of the 72 patients, 64 were males (89%) and 8 females (11%), with a mean age of 51 years. The most common predisposing factor was diabetes mellitus (38%). The mortality rate was 17% (12 patients died). Statistically significant differences were not found in age, gender, and predisposing factors, except in heart disease (p = 0.038). Individual laboratory parameters significantly correlating with mortality included hemoglobin (p = 0.023), hematocrit (p = 0.019), serum urea (p = 0.009), creatinine (p = 0.042), and potassium (p = 0.026). Severe sepsis on admission and the extent of affected surface area also predicted higher mortality. Others factors, such as duration of symptoms before admission, number of surgical debridement, diverting colostomy and length of hospital stay, did not show significant differences. The median Fournier’s Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) was significantly higher in non-survivors (p = 0.002).Conclusion: Fournier’s gangrene is a severe surgical emergency requiring early diagnosis and aggressive therapy. Identification of prognostic factors is essential to establish an optimal treatment and to improve outcome. The FGSI is a simple and valid method for predicting disease severity and patient survival.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikenna I. Nnabugwu ◽  
Okechukwu O. Onumaegbu ◽  
Louis T. Okolie

Abstract Background To review retrospectively the outcomes of management of Fournier’s gangrene (FG) and to assess for possible seasonal variations in clinical presentations of FG to a referral hospital in a tropical African country. Methods The medical records of patients who presented with FG from February 2012 to December 2019 were reviewed. Of interest were age of patient, vital signs at presentation, site of gangrene, duration of hospital admission, and management interventions deployed. Analysis was with SPSS® version 21. Results Twenty-three of 28 medical records could be analyzed. Median Fournier’s Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) was 5 (IQR:3–10), the median Uludag-FGSI (UFGSI) was 7 (IQR:4–14). In 82.6%, the scrotum was the site of onset; in 8.7%, the lesion had spread beyond the pelvis. Diabetes mellitus (30.4%), HIV infection (13.0%) and nephropathy (17.4%) were identified co-morbidities. There were 2.4 ± 1.0 debridement sessions and 1.5 ± 1.3 transfused units of blood per patient. In 60.9%, the wound edges were undermined and apposed; in 17.4%, split skin grafting or fascio-cutaneous flap cover was deployed. In 17.4%, satisfactory wound closure needed more than 1 theater session. Mean duration of hospital admission was 51.4 ± 19.4 days. No mortality was recorded. Majority (91.2%) presented in hot, dry months of October through March with peak in December. No case presented in the wet months of May through September. Conclusion Meager resources notwithstanding, FG management outcomes are generally satisfactory. Furthermore, FG is observed to present mostly in the hot, dry months of the year in the 8 years under review.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mithat Eksi ◽  
Yusuf Arikan ◽  
Abdulmuttalip Simsek ◽  
Osman Ozdemir ◽  
Serdar Karadag ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We aimed to investigate the parameters that have an effect on the length of stay and mortality rates of patients with Fournier’s gangrene. Material and Methods A retrospective review was performed on 80 patients who presented to the emergency department and underwent emergency debridement with the diagnosis of Fournier’s gangrene between 2008 and 2017. The demographic and clinical characteristics, length of stay, Fournier’s Gangrene Severity Index score, cystostomy and colostomy requirement, additional treatment for wound healing and the mortality rates of the patients were evaluated. Results Of the 80 patients included in the study, 65 (81.2 %) were male and 15 (18.7 %) female. The most common comorbidity was diabetes mellitus. The mean time between onset of complaints and admission to hospital was 4.6 ± 2.5 days. As a result of the statistical analyses, it was found that Fournier’s Gangrene Severity Index score, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, negative pressure wound therapy and the presence of sepsis and colostomy were significantly positively correlated with length of stay. Also it was found that the Fournier’s Gangrene Severity Index score, administration of negative pressure wound therapy and the presence of sepsis were correlated with mortality. Conclusion Fournier’s gangrene is a mortal disease and an emergency condition. With the improvements in Fournier’s gangrene disease management, mortality rates are decreasing, but long-term hospital stay has become a new problem. Knowing the values predicting length of stay and mortality rates can allow for patient-based treatment and may be useful in treatment choice.


2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. e424-e430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Uluğ ◽  
Ercan Gedik ◽  
Sadullah Girgin ◽  
Mustafa K. Çelen ◽  
Celal Ayaz

2004 ◽  
Vol 171 (4S) ◽  
pp. 32-32
Author(s):  
Eugene Lin ◽  
Stone Yang ◽  
Hsi-Hsien Hsu ◽  
Yung-Chiong Chow

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 4397
Author(s):  
Tausif Kamal Syed ◽  
Dilip K. Apturkar ◽  
K. N. Dandekar

Background: Fournier’s gangrene (FG) is a rare, rapidly progressive, necrotizing fasciitis of the external genitalia and perineum, leading to soft-tissue necrosis. Despite antibiotics and aggressive debridement, the mortality rate of FG remains high. This study describes our experiences in the management of FG and identifies prognostic factors.Methods: It is a descriptive prospective study in 71 patients with FG treated at Pravara Rural Medical College and Hospital, Loni, who presented between September 2013 and September 2015.Results: In the present series of 71 patients, 57% were between 50-70 yrs. UTI and alcohol consumption being most common co-morbid conditions and scrotal abscess (53.52%) being the most common presentation. Serum creatinine (p value 0.0008), total leucocyte count at presentation (p value 0.004) had a significant association with duration of recovery. The mean duration of stay was 16.08±3.28 days with a median of 15 days. The Fournier gangrene severity index score calculated was <9 in 59.15% of patients, and >9 in the remaining ≈40% with a mean of 8.309±3.49. A single mortality was recorded during our study.Conclusions: Serum creatinine and total leucocyte count at presentation could play a pivotal role in not only initial emergency management but also as factors for monitoring the progress of treatment.


2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTA WRÓBLEWSKA ◽  
BOLESŁAW KUZAKA ◽  
TOMASZ BORKOWSKI ◽  
PIOTR KUZAKA ◽  
DARIUSZ KAWECKI ◽  
...  

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a rapidly progressive form of infective necrotising fasciitis of the perineal, genital, or perianal regions, leading to thrombosis of the small subcutaneous vessels and necrosis of the overlying skin. It is believed that the occurrence of the disease in women is underreported and may be unrecognised by some clinicians. Fournier's gangrene is a life-threatening condition, constituting an urological emergency. Many patients with Fournier's gangrene have medical or surgical conditions, which are predisposing factors to this disease or its more severe or fatal course. These comprise diabetes mellitus, hypertension, alcoholism and advanced age. Recent reports in the literature point to changes in the epidemiology of FG, comprising an increasing age of patients. Several authors reported that the mean age of FG patients is at present 53-55 years. Prognosis in FG patients is based on FGSI (Fournier's gangrene severity index) score. Despite the progress in medical care for FG patients, the mortality rate reported in the literature remains high--most often 20-40%, but ranges from 4% to 80%. The most common isolates cultured from FG lesions are both Gram-positive and Gram-negative, as well as strictly anaerobic bacteria. Recently community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has emerged as an etiological agent of FG with severe clinical course and even fulminant sepsis. Rarely FG may have a fungal etiology, being caused by yeast-like fungi Candida spp. or by moulds. Antibiotics should be administered parenterally and in doses high enough to reach an effective concentration in the infected tissues.


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