Fournier's gangrene: necrotising fasciitis of the male genitalia.

The aetiology, clinical syndrome and outcome of nine patients with necrotising subcutaneous infections of their external genitalia have been analysed. These patients constituted just under 1% of all of our urological admissions during a nine-month period. Eight of the nine patients suffered from the secondary variety of this disease with urethral strictures and extravasation being the most common precipitating conditions. Necrotising fasciitis of the genitalia still carries a high risk of mortality and morbidity, frequently necessitating long periods of hospitalisation and repeated surgical procedures. Special attention was given to the bacteriology of the disease and recommendations concerning antibiotic therapy are made.