ABSTRACT
Objective To summarize the management of scrotal gangrene.Methods Totally,14 male patients (mean age,48 years;age range,27-74 years) with scrotal gangrene were treated from August 2003 to June 2005.Among these patients,scrotal gangrene was complicated by perianal and penile gangrene in 2 cases;by perianal,penile and inguinal gangrene in 10 cases;by perianal,penile,inguinal gangrene and abdominal subcutaneous gangrene in 2 cases.Three cases had concomitantly necrosis of the penis;and 5 ca- ses,orchitis.Bacterial cultures were performed in all 14 cases with the positive results.All patients underwent surgical treatment,including PhaseⅠincisions,aggressive debridement,drainage,irrigation,and scrotoplas- ty.After operation they received antibiotic therapy and supporting treatment.Three cases of penile necrosis underwent complete penis amputation and transplanting the urethra before the anus.Five cases of orchitis un- derwent unilateral orchiectomy.Two cases of abdominal gangrene underwent surgical subcutaneous treatment, including incision,aggressive debridement,drainage,and irrigation.Results Twelve cases undergoing scrotoplasty achieved PhaseⅠhealing.Two cases undergoing urethral fistulation recovered well.Ten cases of penile skin gangrene received penile dermatoplasty 1 month later,and then recovered.Two cases who had al- ready had AIDS died 2 or 3 d after operation.Conclusions The management of scrotal gangrene primarily consists of early and aggressive debridement,antibiotic therapy and supporting treatment.The PhaseⅠde- bridement and scrotoplasty as well as drainage are effective for the treatment of scrotal gangrene.