Fournier's gangrene secondary to appendicectomy

Abstract

Background: Fournier's gangrene is predominantly an infectious process involving the superficial and deep fascial planes in the perineal area.
Aim: To highlight the existence of a potential space between the Scarpa's and Camper's fascia which allows for spread of infection from an infected appendicectomy wound to the scrotum.
Case report: A 33-year-old male presented in the Accident and Emergency department of Living Word Mission Hospital with a few days history of painful scrotum with desquamation of the epithelium of the scrotal skin. He gave a history of an appendicectomy for a ruptured appendix carried out 8 days earlier at another hospital. Examination revealed a dehisced appendicectomy wound and a de-epithelialized distal scrotal skin. A diagnosis of Fournier's gangrene was made. He was commenced on potent antibiotics and had debridement of the scrotal wound. The wound improved with healthy granulation tissue and it was then covered with a split skin graft.
Lesson: When the appendix is found to be ruptured at operation, potent antibiotics are required to forestall the spread of the infection in the peritoneum or along the fascial planes causing necrotising fasciitis.
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Keywords: Post Appendicectomy, Fournier's gangrene

Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 1 (2) 2007: pp. 124-125