FOURNIER'S GANGRENE -REPORT OF A CASE-

Abstract

A very rare case of Fournier's gangrene is reported. A 59-year-old male was referred to our clinic because of a perianal pain with high fever. On admission, pelvic X-ray films revealed a subcutaneous diffuse gas shadow at the scrotum. In spite of intensive chemotherapy concomitant with incisional drainage of perianal abscess, the inflammatory change extended further to the penis, scrotum, epididymis, gluteal region and bilateral inguinal regions as well. Finally, radical operation including castration, debridement, cystostomy, fistulectomy and complete abscess drainage was performed. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 64th postoperative day without any complications. Recently, Fournier's syndrome becomes rare because of hte development of antibiotics. However, the mortality rate is still as high as 10% in Japan, especially in the patients with poor risks, such as diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis and alcoholism. In case suspected of Fournier's syndrome, the intensive care, including aggressive surgical drainage and debridement as well as administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics must be done as soon as possible.