[A Case of Fournier's Gangrene Caused by Rectal Cancer Successfully Treated with Staged Robotic Surgery]

Fournier's gangrene is a serious infection that causes tissue death in the perineal area and can progress quickly. We report a rare case caused by rectal cancer, treated with staged robotic surgery. A 62-year-old man was found by his family after being unable to move for 5 days. He had swelling, blisters, and a bad smell in his buttocks. CT scans showed a rectal tumor and gas in the soft tissue. He was diagnosed with Fournier's gangrene due to rectal cancer. Emergency surgery was done to remove the necrotic tissue from the left buttock. A tumor was felt in the rectum, with a thin and damaged wall, which was likely the cause of the infection. Four months later, he underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. Although there were scars in the buttocks and perineum, the wound could be closed without major problems. The final pathology showed a positive margin near the prostate, therefore chemotherapy was started after surgery. He is still receiving treatment. This case shows that robotic surgery can be used safely in patients with rectal cancer, even after severe infection like Fournier's gangrene.