Fournier's gangrene: Seven years of experience in the emergencies service of visceral surgery at Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center

Abstract

IntroductionThis work aims to describe and discuss the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolution of Fournier's gangrene. Materials and methodsCase series with retrospective data collection of patients treated for Fournier's gangrene between January 2010 and March 2017. The main etiologies, risk factors, postoperative complications outcomes and long term follow up results were analyzed. ResultsEight four (84) patients were recruited. The average age of our patients was 49 years (with limits of 20–76), the male gender dominates our series (83.33%) with a sex ratio of 5 M/1W, the most frequently found risk factor was diabetes mellitus (37%). The most common etiology was anal abscesses (32%). The average time to consultation was 8 days (limits ranges from 3 to 30 days). All patients were admitted at a necrosis stage (100%). Anemia was identified in 85% of cases. The low platelets were noticed in 44.03% of cases. Hypoalbuminemia was found in 93% of cases. All patients (100%) benefited resuscitation initially and antibiotic therapy on their admission. They received emergency surgical debridement with a cleansing stoma. The average length of hospital stay was 13 days and complications occurred in 33% of cases. The mortality rate was 7.14%. ConclusionFournier's gangrene is a medico-surgical emergency with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Early diagnosis as well as antibiotic therapy and the quality of debridement save the patients.