Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fournier’s Gangrene

  • Chapter
Emergencies in Urology

Abstract

Fournier’s gangrene is a synergistic polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and genitalia. It can progress to a fulminant soft tissue infection that spreads rapidly along the fascial planes, causing necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous soft tissue, and fascia, with associated systemic sepsis. If it is not diagnosed early and treated promptly, significant morbidity with prolonged hospital stay and even mortality will ensue.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Addison WA, Livengood CH 3rd, Hill GB, Sutton GP, Fortier KJ (1984) Necrotizing fasciitis of vulval origin in diabetic patients. Obstet Gynecol 63:473

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akgun Y, Yilmaz G (2005) Factors affecting mortality in Fournier’s gangrene (in Turkish). Ulus Travma Derg 11:49

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali MZ (2004) Fournier’s gangrene — a rare complication of hydrocele aspiration. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 14:304

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson RW, Vaslef SN (1997) Shock. Causes and management of circulatory collapse. In: Sabiston DC, Lyerly HK (eds) Sabiston textbook of surgery — the biological basis of modern surgical practice, 15th edn. WB Saunders Company, Philadelphia, p 68

    Google Scholar 

  • Attah CA (1992) New approach to the management of Fournier’s gangrene. Br J Urol 70:78

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bahlmann JC, Fourie IJ, Arndt TC (1983) Fournier’s gangrene: necrotising fasciitis of the male genitalia. Br J Urol 55:85

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banks DW, O’Brien DP 3rd, Amerson JR, Hester TR Jr (1986) Gracilis musculocutaneous flap reconstruction after Fournier gangrene. Urology 28:275

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baskin LS, Carroll PR, Cattolica EV, McAninch JW (1990) Necrotising soft tissue infections of the perineum and genitalia. Br J Urol 65:524

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bejanga BL (1979) Fournier’s gangrene. Br J Urol 51:312

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benizri E, Fabiani P, Migliori G, Chevallier D, Peyrottes A, Raucoules M, Amiel J, Mouiel J, Toubol J (1996) Gangrene of the perineum. Urology 47:935

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bronder CS, Cowey A, Hill J (2004) Delayed stoma formation in Fournier’s gangrene. Colorectal Dis 6:518

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chintamani, Shankar M, Singhal V, Singh JP, Bansal A, Saxena S (2004) Squamous cell carcinoma developing in the scar of Fournier’s gangrene — case report. BMC Cancer 4:16

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choe JM, Battino BS, Benedict J, Bell TE (2001) Myositis and myonecrosis of the thigh: an unusual complication of a testicular thigh pouch. J Urol 165:1217

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Corman JM, Moody JA, Aronson WJ (1999) Fournier’s gangrene in a modern surgical setting: improved survival with aggressive management. Br J Urol 84:85

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edino ST, Yakubu AA, Obidiaso A (2005) Fournier’s gangrene in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. Afr J Urol 11:1

    Google Scholar 

  • Eke N (2000) Fournier’s gangrene: a review of 1726 cases. Br J Surg 87:718

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elem B, Ranjan P (1995) Impact of immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on Fournier’s gangrene: observations in Zambia. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 77:283

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fialkov JM, Watkins K, Fallon B Kealey GP (1998) Fournier’s gangrene with an unusual urologic etiology. Urology 52:324

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fourie CE (2003) The role of glycaemic control in preventing complications in the critically ill. South Afr J Crit Care 19:46

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaeta M, Volta S, Minutoli A, Bartiromo A, Pandolfo I (1991) Fournier’s gangrene caused by perforated retroperitoneal appendix. AJR Am J Roentgenol 156:341

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hejase MJ, Simonin JE, Bihrle R, Coogan CL (1996) Genital Fournier’s gangrene: experience with 38 patients. Urology 47:734

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hesselfeldt-Nielsen J, Bang-Jensen E, Riegels-Nielsen P (1986) Scrotal reconstruction after Fournier’s gangrene. Ann Plast Surg 17:310

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heyns CF, Fisher M (2005) The urological management of the patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. BJU Int 95:709

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jeong HJ (2004) Fournier’s gangrene associated with sparganosis in the scrotum. Urology 63:176

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones RB, Hirschmann JV, Brown GS, Tremann JA (1979) Fournier’s syndrome: Necrotising subcutaneous infection of the male genitalia. J Urol 122:279

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kane CJ, Nash P, McAninch JW (1996) Ultrasonographic appearance of necrotizing gangrene: aid in early diagnosis. Urology 48:142

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karim MS (1984) Fournier gangrene following urethral necrosis by indwelling catheter. Urology 23:173

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kayikcioglu A (2003) A new technique in scrotal reconstruction: short gracilis flap. Urology 61:1254

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kilic A, Aksoy Y, Kilic L (2001) Fournier’s gangrene: etiology, treatment, and complications. Ann Plast Surg 47:523

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laor E, Palmer LS, Tolia BM, Reid RE, Winter HI (1995) Outcome prediction in patients with Fournier’s gangrene. J Urol 154:89

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laucks SS 2nd (1994) Fournier’s gangrene. Surg Clin North Am 74:1339

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKay TC, Waters WB (1994) Fournier’s gangrene as the presenting sign of an undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus infection. J Urol 152:1552

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Merino E, Boix V, Portilla J, Reus S, Priego M (2001) Fournier’s gangrene in HIV-infected patients. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 20:910

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mindrup SR, Kealey GP, Fallon B (2005) Hyperbaric oxygen for the treatment of Fournier’s gangrene. J Urol 173:1975

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nisbet AA, Thompson IM (2002) Impact of diabetes mellitus on the presentation and outcomes of Fournier’s gangrene. Urology 60:775

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Okeke LI (2000) Fournier’s gangrene in Ibadan. Afr J Med Sci 29:323

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paty R, Smith AD (1992) Gangrene and Fournier’s gangrene. Urol Clin North Am 19:149

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pizzorno R, Bonini F, Donelli A, Stubinski R, Medica M, Carmignani G (1997) Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of Fournier’s disease in 11male patients. J Urol 158:837

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quatan N, Kirby RS (2004) Improving outcomes in Fournier’s gangrene. BJU Int 93:691

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts DB, Hester LL Jr (1972) Progressive synergistic bacterial gangrene arising from an abscess of the vulva and Bartholin’s gland duct. Am J Obstet Gynecol 114:285

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roca B, Cunat E, Simon E (1998) HIV infection presenting with Fournier’s gangrene. Neth J Med 53:168

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Santora T, Rukstalis DB (2001) Fournier’s gangrene. www.emedicine.com/med/UROLOGY.htm. Cited 6 November 2006

    Google Scholar 

  • Sengoku A, Yamashita M, Umezu K (1990) A case of Fournier’s gangrene: was it triggered by prostatic massage (in Japanese)? Hinyokika Kiyo 36:1097

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith GL, Bunker CB, Dinneen MD (1998) Fournier’s gangrene. Br J Urol 81:347

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Spirnak JP, Resnick MI, Hampel N, Persky L (1984) Fournier’s gangrene: report of 20 patients. J Urol 131:289

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Theiss M, Hofmockel G, Frohmuller HG (1995) Fournier’s gangrene in a patient with erectile dysfunction following use of a mechanical erection aid device. J Urol 153:1921

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tobin CE, Benjamin JA (1949) Anatomic and clinical re-evaluation of scrotum. Surg Gynec Obstet 88:545

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van den Berghe G, Wouters P, Weekers F, Verwaest C, Bruyninckx F, Schetz M, Vlasselaers D, Ferdinande P, Lauwers P, Bouillon R (2001) Intensive insulin therapy in critically ill patients. N Engl J Med 345:1359

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker L, Cassidy MT, Hutchison AG, Abel BJ, Lewi HJ (1984) Fournier’s gangrene and urethral problems. Br J Urol 56:509

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walther PJ, Andriani RT, Maggio MI, Carson CC 3rd (1987) Fournier’s gangrene: a complication of penile prosthetic implantation in a renal transplant patient. J Urol 137:299

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yeniyol CO, Suelozgen T, Arslan M, Ayder AR (2004) Fournier’s gangrene: experience with 25 patients and use of Fournier’s gangrene severity index score. Urology 64:218

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Hospital, P.O. Box 19063, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa

    C. F. Heyns MD & P. D. Theron MD

Authors
  1. C. F. Heyns MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. D. Theron MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Heidelberg University, Medical School, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Markus Hohenfellner MD (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

  2. Detroit Receiving Hospital, 4160 John R., Suite 1017, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Richard A. Santucci MD (Chief of Urology and Associate Professor) (Chief of Urology and Associate Professor)

  3. Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4160 John R., Suite 1017, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Richard A. Santucci MD (Chief of Urology and Associate Professor) (Chief of Urology and Associate Professor)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Heyns, C.F., Theron, P.D. (2007). Fournier’s Gangrene. In: Hohenfellner, M., Santucci, R.A. (eds) Emergencies in Urology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-48605-3_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-48605-3_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-48603-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-48605-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation