Article

The aim of our study was to
evaluate the mortality rate and further specific risk factors for Fournier's
gangrene in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Division of Spinal
Cord Injury, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Ruhr-University Bochum,
Germany. METHODS: All patients with a SCI and a Fournier's gangrene treated in
our hospital were enrolled in this study. Following parameters were taken form
patients medical records: age, type of SCI, cause of Fournier's gangrene, number
of surgical debridements, length of hospital and intensive care unit stay, co
morbidity factors and mortality rate. In addition, laboratory parameter including
the laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC) score and
microbiological findings were analyzed. Clinical diagnosis was made via
histological examination. RESULTS: A total of 16 male patients (15 paraplegic and
one tetraplegic) were included in the study. In 81% of all cases, the origin of
Fournier's gangrene was a pressure sore. The median LRINEC score on admission was
6.5. In the vast majority of cases, a polybacterial infection was found. No
patient died during the hospital stay. The mean number of surgical debridements
before soft tissue closure was 1.9 and after a mean time interval of 39.1 days
wound closure was performed in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Pressure sores
significantly increase the risk of developing Fournier's gangrene in patients
with SCI. We reported the results of our patients to increase awareness among
physicians and training staff working with patients with a SCI in order to
expedite the diagnosis.

Langue : ANGLAIS