Gangrena di Fournier: la nostra esperienza su dieci casi.

Fournier's gangrene, described for the first time by Alfred Jean Fournier in 1883, is a very uncommon disease. It is characterized by an acute process of cellulites and necrotizing fasciitis of the external genitalia, perineum and abdominal wall; its mortality rate is about 30-50%. We retrospectively reviewed 10 patients affected by Fournier's gangrene admitted to our Department of Urology from 1997 to 2006. At a mean follow-up of 37 months (range 0-108) 7 patients are alive and disease free, 1 patient is alive bearing the signs of the gangrene, and 2 patients died because of the disease complications. We have noted that patients' survival depends on early intervention and extremely aggressive approach: The combination of these factors with antibiotic therapy and supportive care have made this disease treatable and curable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]