[A case of extensive Fournier's gangrene]

A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of high grade fever and painful swelling of the scrotum. Although debridement of the scrotum and inguinal region was immediately carried out, the inflammation extended to the right abdominal region 2 days later. We tunneled the newly infected areas and placed Penrose drains through the tunnels, so that complete drainage was achieved with minimal tissue loss. The infection was controlled by frequent irrigation of the wound and antibiotic administration. Forty days after the admission the defect of the skin was reconstructed by using a meshed skin graft, and the patient was discharged on the 68th hospital day. We concluded that limited debridement with placement of through-and-through drains might have produced a good result with minimal tissue loss.