Fournier gangrene natural history, complications and prognosis
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Steven C. Campbell, M.D., Ph.D.; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yamuna Kondapally, M.B.B.S[1]; Jesus Rosario Hernandez, M.D. [2]
Overview
If left untreated, the acute inflammatory changes spread quickly, accompanied by high fever and extreme weakness.[1][2] The overlying skin becomes smooth, tense and shiny and diffuse erythema without distinct borders are seen. During the first 1 or 2 days, the lesions develop with progressive color changes from red to purple to blue and then become gangrenous, first turning black, then greenish yellow. If the patient has survived, a line of demarcation between viable and necrotic tissue would become sharply defined from days 7 to 10. Sloughing of necrotic skin would reveal the underlying pus and extensive liquefactive necrosis of subcutaneous tissues, which will be significantly more extensive than would be suspected with the overlying area of necrotic skin. Metastatic abscesses and pulmonary distress may develop as well. Common complications of Fournier gangrene include:[3][4] Renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, septic metastasis, urinary tract infection, stroke, acute thromboembolic disease of lower extremities, wound infection, prolonged ileus (7 days), and eventration or evisceration. Depending on the underlying comorbidities, the prognosis of Fournier gangrene varies. Some of the prognostic factors include: Presence of severe sepsis and whether the affected area calculation/extension of the necrosis is ≥5% of the body surface area.
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Natural history
If left untreated, the acute inflammatory changes spread quickly, accompanied by high fever and extreme weakness.[1][2] The overlying skin becomes smooth, tense and shiny and diffuse erythema without distinct borders are seen.
During the first 1 or 2 days, the lesions develop with progressive color changes from red to purple to blue and then become gangrenous, first turning black, then greenish yellow. If the patient has survived, a line of demarcation between viable and necrotic tissue would become sharply defined from days 7 to 10.
Sloughing of necrotic skin would reveal the underlying pus and extensive liquefactive necrosis of subcutaneous tissues, which will be significantly more extensive than would be suspected with the overlying area of necrotic skin. Metastatic abscesses and pulmonary distress may develop as well.
The most common foci of Fournier gangrene include:[5][6]
| Anorectal | Genitourinary | Dermatology | Gynaecological |
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Neonates and Children
- Trauma[6]
- Burns
- Insect bites
- Circumcision
Complications
Common complications of Fournier gangrene include:[3][4]
Systemic complications
- Renal failure
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Heart failure
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Septic metastasis
- Urinary tract infection
- Stroke
- Acute thromboembolic disease of lower extremities
Surgical complications
Long term complications
- Pain (50% of patients)
- Impaired sexual function (due to penile deviation/torsion, loss of sensitivity of the penile skin or pain during erection)
- Stool incontinence
- Extensive scarring
Prognosis
Depending on the underlying comorbidities, the prognosis of Fournier gangrene varies. Some of the prognostic factors include:
- Severe sepsis
- If the affected area calculation/extension of the necrosis is:
- <3% of the body surface area, death is rare
- ≥5% of the body surface area, the prognosis is worse
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Morgan MS (2010). "Diagnosis and management of necrotising fasciitis: a multiparametric approach". J Hosp Infect. 75 (4): 249–57. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2010.01.028. PMID 20542593.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ecker KW, Derouet H, Omlor G, Mast GJ (1993). "[Fournier's gangrene]". Chirurg. 64 (1): 58–62. PMID 8436051.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Akcan A, Sözüer E, Akyildiz H, Yilmaz N, Küçük C, Ok E (2009). "Necessity of preventive colostomy for Fournier's gangrene of the anorectal region". Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 15 (4): 342–6. PMID 19669962.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Thwaini A, Khan A, Malik A, Cherian J, Barua J, Shergill I; et al. (2006). "Fournier's gangrene and its emergency management". Postgrad Med J. 82 (970): 516–9. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.042069. PMC 2585703. PMID 16891442.
- ↑ Eke N (2000). "Fournier's gangrene: a review of 1726 cases". Br J Surg. 87 (6): 718–28. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2168.2000.01497.x. PMID 10848848.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Amendola MA, Casillas J, Joseph R, Antun R, Galindez O (1994). "Fournier's gangrene: CT findings". Abdom Imaging. 19 (5): 471–4. PMID 7950832.