Publication:

Female Fournier’s gangrene: not just a flesh-eating disease of scrotum

Fournier’s gangrene (FG) is a severe, rapidly progressing, and potentially life-threatening soft tissue infection that primarily affects the genital, perineal, or perianal regions. Fournier’s gangrene in female is considered to be a rare case scenario. The pathogenesis of FG involves a synergistic polymicrobial infection, typically originating from a focus in the genitourinary tract, anorectal region, or surrounding soft tissues of the genital area. The most common initial symptom is pain in the perineal or perianal region. If not promptly treated, the infection can rapidly extend through fascial planes to areas such as the buttocks, abdominal wall, pelvis, and retroperitoneum. Misdiagnosis may delay surgical intervention and increase the risk of mortality. We had a case of female Fournier’s gangrene with no comorbidities presented at a younger age and managed surgically with serial debridement under antibiotic coverage followed by secondary suturing. Prompt surgical intervention resulted in good recovery of patient with cosmetically satisfactory scar. The key to a favorable prognosis lies in timely diagnosis, early surgical intervention, targeted antimicrobial therapy, wound care, and comprehensive supportive management.