Fournier gangrene: a series of 12 patients

Fournier gangrene is a rare, rapidly progressive, necrotizing fasciitis of the external genitalia, the perineum, or the abdominal wall that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this series, we describe 12 patients with Fournier gangrene who had presented to our medical center.

Twelve men had been diagnosed with Fournier gangrene in Shohada-e-Tajrish hospital between March 2002 and September 2005. Their medical records were reviewed and the Fournier Gangrene Severity Index scores before and after the treatment were determined.

Fifty percent of the patients were diabetic and their mean age was 58.2 +/- 17.8 years. The mean delay between the onset of the disease and the admission was 4.9 days and the mortality rate was 16.6%. The median Fournier Gangrene Severity Index scores before the admission and at the time of discharge were 4.5 (range, 0 to 11) and 0 (range, 0 to 9), respectively (P = .005). One of the patients who died had the scores of 11 and 9, respectively. Split-thickness skin graft was performed for 5 patients (41.7%).

In Fournier gangrene, a rapid diagnosis and emergent surgical intervention is crucial. The Fournier Gangrene Severity Index seems to be an excellent tool for outcome prediction.