Fournier’s gangrene in an obese female in third trimester of pregnancy

Authors

• Saqer Althunayyan, From the Department of Accident and Trauma (Althunayyan), Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, and from the Department of General Surgery (Karamitosos), Aliman General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Evangelos Karamitosos, From the Department of Accident and Trauma (Althunayyan), Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, and from the Department of General Surgery (Karamitosos), Aliman General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Fournier gangrene is a rapidly progressive necrotizing fasciitis of the perianal and genitourinary area. Although typically affects men, we present here a rare disease founding in a pregnant woman. An obese 36-year-old female patient in her third trimester of pregnancy presented with a history of perianal pain and swelling. She was subsequently diagnosed with Fournier gangrene and underwent emergency cesarean section with a surgical debridement. The key to successful outcomes in such a complicated presentation of Fournier gangrene includes a high index of suspicion, fluid resuscitation, rapid administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and an early interdisciplinary approach by multiple teams. This helps share decisions and balance the risk-benefit of the emergency caesarian section without delaying the surgical debridement.

Article Type

Case Report

First Page

415

Last Page

418

Recommended Citation

Althunayyan, Saqer and Karamitosos, Evangelos (2018) "Fournier’s gangrene in an obese female in third trimester of pregnancy," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 39: Iss. 4, Article 15.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2018.4.21780