Fournier’s Gangrene: Management in a Poor Resource Setting

Fournier’s gangrene is a rapidly progressive necrotizing infection of the external genitalia. We aim to share our clinical experience in the management of this disease. This was a retrospective study with data retrieved from the case note of patients seen with Fournier’s gangrene between January 2013 and April 2019. A total of 23 cases were analysed, who were all men, with a mean age of 47 years. The mean duration before presentation was 8 days. Perianal lesion was the most common aetiological factor occurring in 39% and the most common isolated organism was E. coli. The mean number of debridement was 1.5 while 2 patients required colostomy. The mortality rate was 9% in this study. Despite improvement in clinical care, Fournier’s gangrene remains a potentially fatal condition. Thus, aggressive resuscitation, debridement and judicious antibiotic therapy are required.