Background: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a serious, aggressive and often deadly polymicrobial infection of the soft tissues of the perineum, the rectum and the external genital organs. It is an anatomical subcategory of necrotizing fasciitis, which has a similar etiology and treatment strategy.
Case summary: A 60-year-old man was admitted to the hospital during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic with complaints of fever up to 38.9 °C, abdominal pain, and edema of the scrotum, the penis, the perineum, and the right gluteal region for 2 d. Computed tomography of the abdomen and the pelvis revealed extensive inflammatory infiltrations of the subcutaneous tissue of the hypogastrium, and the penis; along with liquefaction and presence of gas in the subcutaneous tissues of the scrotum, the perineum, and the right gluteal region. The patient was diagnosed with FG, and was urgently qualified to undergo surgery in the Department of Urology. After performing the necessary examinations, a resection of the necrotic tissues with bilateral orchiectomy and excision of the penile and scrotal skin was performed. After surgery, he was transferred to the intensive care unit for further management.
Conclusion: Early management prevents the resection of the other organs by inhibiting the contiguous spread of infection.
Keywords: Case report; Fournier’s gangrene; Management; Necrotic tissues; Negative pressure wound therapy; Orchiectomy; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment.
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