Fournier'S gangrene in cotonou, benin republic.

BACKGROUND: Gangrene of the male genitalia called Fournier's gangrene is not an uncommon surgical condition in the urological service at Cotonou, Benin Republic; it is associated with high mortality and morbidity.

PATIENTS & METHODS: This is a retrospective, descriptive study conducted at the Teaching Clinic of Urology and Andrology at the National and Hospitable Center CNHU- Hubert Koutoukou MAGA in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The study is on patients managed for Fournier's gangrene from January 2002 to December 2012. The demographics, clinical presentation, management and outcome were recorded in a proforma and the data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 10.0 software.

RESULTS: Fournier's gangrene represented 1.8% of hospitalizations with an annual average of 5 cases. The mean age was 52 years with range of 21 - 85 years. 77.7% of patients were 40 - 59 years and; while 22.3% were 60 years and above. About 28% had a predisposing factor (diabetis, HIV, leukaemia, high blood pressure). Etiological factors were urogenital (42.5%), anorectal (22.5%), and cutaneous (17.5%). In 17.5% of cases, no etiologic factor was found. The diagnosis was clinically obvious because of late presentation, 95% of patients were admitted in the acute phase.

CONCLUSION: Fournier's gangrene mostly affects young males and the diagnosis was clinical. It is a disease with high morbidity and mortality in Benin Republic.