OBJECTIVES: We report one case of Fournier's gangrene secondary to urethral catheterization. METHODS: We describe the clinical case, in which the initial cause was identified, and perform a short bibliographic review. RESULTS: Although Fournier's gangrene was initially considered as idiopathic in etiology, currently it is possible to identify the entrance site of the infection. In the present case the insertion of a urethral catheter was the starting mechanism, associated with factors such as diabetes and alcoholism which favour its development. The patient was treated by surgical debridement and partial urethrectomy but finally died. CONCLUSIONS: We want to point out that urethral instrumentation should be done by expert hands due to the severity of possible complications. We should insist in the need of precocious treatment with wide spectrum antibiotics, radical debridement and complete urologic evaluation.
OBJECTIVES: We report one case of Fournier's gangrene secondary to urethral catheterization. METHODS: We describe the clinical case, in which the initial cause was identified, and perform a short bibliographic review. RESULTS: Although Fournier's gangrene was initially considered as idiopathic in etiology, currently it is possible to identify the entrance site of the infection. In the present case the insertion of a urethral catheter was the starting mechanism, associated with factors such as diabetes and alcoholism which favour its development. The patient was treated by surgical debridement and partial urethrectomy but finally died. CONCLUSIONS: We want to point out that urethral instrumentation should be done by expert hands due to the severity of possible complications. We should insist in the need of precocious treatment with wide spectrum antibiotics, radical debridement and complete urologic evaluation.