[A case of Fournier's gangrene with healing accelerated by argatroban]

A 58-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of pain and marked swelling of scrotum and perineum. Physical and radiological examinations revealed gas-producing gangrenous changes involving the scrotum. Debridement was urgently carried out. Following the debridement under control of diabetes mellitus, antimicrobial agents and argatroban, a newly synthesized antithrombin medicine, were administered. Argatroban was used for the purpose of improving vascular insufficiency. Healthy granulation tissue was present five weeks later. Then surgical closure was carried out. Computed tomography was useful to make early diagnosis, and argatroban was thought to accelerate healing of the gangrene.