Abstract

"Purpose: To identify predictive factors of survival in patients with Fournier’s gangrene (FG), and to determine the validity of the Fournier’s Gangrene Severity Index Score (FGSIS) in Korean patients. Materials and Method: Thirty-three patients with FG were enrolled. Data were collected regarding medical history, symptoms, physical examination findings, admission laboratory tests, and the extent of body surface area involved (%). The FGSIS, which was developed to assign a numerical score that describes the disease acuity, was used in our study. The data were assessed based on whether or not the patient had survived. Results: Of the 33 patients, 16 survived (48.5%, Group I) and 17 died (51.5%, Group II). Isolated FGSIS and admission laboratory parameters that were statistically different in the two groups included heart rate (p=0.009), white blood cell count (WBC; p=0.035), and serum calcium (p=0.001). The mean body surface area in Group II was statistically different from that of Group I (6.4% vs. 2.4%, p=0.001). The mean FGSIS for groups I and II was 6.6±3.7 and 8.2±4.1, respectively (p=0.26). Based on univariate regression analysis, disease severity had no correlation with the FGSIS. However, isolated parameters, including heart rate, WBC count, serum total calcium level, and the extent of body surface area involved was associated with disease severity. Conclusions: Although the FGSIS was not shown to be a predictive factor for disease severity, metabolic parameters and the extent of body surface area involved appeared to be important factors for predicting FG severity."

• Keywords: Fournier’s gangrene, Mortality, Prognosis