Scrotal gangrene after male sterilization.

Abstract

A case of scrotal gangrene following the operation of vasectomy was reported. The vasectomy was performed on a healthy 49-year-old man under local anesthesia on November 20. On December 3 severe scrotal pain developed accompanied by a swollen and red scrotum. The patient was treated with 250 mg tetracycline 4 times a day. The skin ulcerated and he was admitted to the hospital on December 15 with what was diagnosed as scrotal gangrene. The necrotic scrotal skin was removed under general anesthesia and the patient was treated with 500 mg ampicillin at 4-hourly intervals for a week. The condition of the scrotal skin improved rapidly with daily eusol dressings and the local application of polybactrin. After 4 weeks the patient went home and one month later the scrotum was completely healed. Though the aetiology of the disease remained obscure the scrotal incisions was the most likely site of entry for the infection. This case should not deter patients from vasectomy as there were few complications in a review of 1000 vasectomy cases.