The practical management of Fournier's gangrene

Effective early treatment of this serious condition is necessary to prevent death. Urgent exploration by the most experienced surgeon available should include wide excision of all necrotic or dubious tissue, and adequate drainage of deep fascial planes. Deep and apparently healthy tissues must be exposed and the surgeon must be prepared to proceed to laparotomy, and even diverting colostomy and/or suprapubic cystotomy when necessary. Cross matched blood must be available, and we have found hydrogen peroxide irrigation useful. Pus, tissues, and blood samples for bacteriological culture and sensitivity should always be sent, but broad spectrum antibiotics should be started without delay to prevent systemic complications. In addition to the urgent initial surgery, repeated daily examination of all wounds is necessary, usually under general anaesthesia to allow full inspection, further débridement, irrigation and change of dressings, until the infective process is halted. This is a serious condition with a high mortality which we believe may be reduced by early diagnosis and appropriate aggressive surgery.