Fournier's gangrene in Nigeria: a review of 21 consecutive patients.

A review of 21 consecutive cases of Fournier's gangrene seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in the period 1994-1998 is presented. All the patients were males with an average age of 43.4 years. Most of the patients had a predisposing factor. There was a low incidence of pre-existing medical conditions. The commonest organisms isolated were of the enterobacteria group. All the patients were treated with antibiotics, surgical debridement and frequent wound dressings with hypertonic saline, hydrogen peroxide and Eusol. In 71.4% of the cases, the wounds healed by secondary intention. The mortality was 9.5%. The deaths occurred in the older age group. We recommend surgical debridement of necrotic tissues as they present and suggest that the surgical procedures be minimal as scrotal wounds heal satisfactorily.