Fournier's Gangrene

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DEFINITION
Necrotising infection of the perineum.
See nec fasc for details
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EPIDEMIOLOGY
Rare

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AETIOLOGY
May follow anorectal sepsis, surgery or UTI.
Particularly in immunocompromised hosts.
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BIOLOGICAL BEHAVIOUR

Pathogenesis
A rare extension of infection in the perineal region.
Becoming necrotising and gangrenous over a large area.
High mortality associated.

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MANIFESTATIONS

Symptoms
Local
Severe pain
Systemic
Systemic toxicity.

Signs
Observe
Marked swelling.
Necrosis of skin and underlying tissues.

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MANAGEMENT

Medical
High dose topical ABs immediately.
Operative
Debridement of affected tissue immediately.
Get a culture
- usually both aerobic and anaerobic.
Later reconstruction is usually needed.
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