BACKGROUND: Fournier’s gangrene (FG) is a rapidly progressing necrotizing fasciitis that carries a significant morbidity and mortality. The present study aims to profile the outcomes of patients diagnosed with FG over the last 10 years in a single institution and to identify predisposing factors related to mortality and length of stay FG in the care of these patients.
METHODS: This is an observational retrospective study, patients diagnosed with FG who underwent surgical treatment at our institution from 2013 to 2023 were included in the study. Variables compiled were demographics, comorbidities, and factors such as mortality, hospital stay and FGSI score. A univariate analysis was performed to assess correlation between variables and morbimortality.
RESULTS: A total of n=138 patients were included. The mean age was 60 yrs. The most common was diabetes mellitus (n=93; 64.7%) followed by hypertension (n=49; 35.5%). The most common etiology was peri-scrotal (n=78; 37.3%) next to peri-rectal (n=63; 30.1%). Streptococcus was the most common source of infection (n=38; 18.2%). The median hospitalization period was 12 days. The overall mortality were 33 patients (23.9). The median FGSI on admission was 5. FGSI score predicted a greater likelihood of mortality (AUC: 0.666; p=0.001) and days of hospitalization (AUC:0.618; P=0.004). There has been a diminished mortality rate over the years, with a current rate of 3%, 3.1% less than 10 years ago.
CONCLUSIONS: The FGSI score remains as a useful tool to predict a greater likelihood of longer hospitalization period, and mortality within FG patients. Mortality rates are improving when compared with the current literature of 20-30%.
