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Retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis secondary to Fournier’s gangrene

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Summary

Background

The retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis is an extremely rare, usually lethal clinical entity and there are very few reported cases. If necrotizing fasciitis affects the retroperitoneum, a nonspecific signs and symptoms associate a higher mortality. For this reason, the diagnostic suspicion and the early surgical debridement are basic for a satisfactory result.

Methods

We present a case report of a 35-year-old black man admitted to the emergency room transferred from a county hospital. He developed an extensive retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis due to a Fournier’s gangrene.

Results

The patient was managed successfully by aggressive debridement and negative pressure therapy to control the extensive necrosis of the retroperitoneum, perineum, and scrotum.

Conclusions

In retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis and Fournier’s gangrene, an early diagnosis and treatment are the key factors for being successful. An extensive surgical debridement to healthy tissue associated with a broad-spectrum antibiotic is the mainstay of the treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Emergency Unit. General Surgery Service, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Barcelona, Spain, Passeig Marítim 25–29, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    E. Sebastian-Valverde, C. Pañella-Vilamú, E. Membrilla-Fernández M.D., J. J. Sancho-Insenser M.D. & L. Grande-Posa M.D.

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  1. E. Sebastian-Valverde
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  2. C. Pañella-Vilamú
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  3. E. Membrilla-Fernández M.D.
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  4. J. J. Sancho-Insenser M.D.
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  5. L. Grande-Posa M.D.
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Correspondence to E. Sebastian-Valverde.

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Sebastian-Valverde, E., Pañella-Vilamú, C., Membrilla-Fernández, E. et al. Retroperitoneal necrotizing fasciitis secondary to Fournier’s gangrene. Eur Surg 47, 271–273 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10353-015-0346-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10353-015-0346-4

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