Necrotising fasciitis in a HIV positive male: an unusual indication for abdomino-perineal resection.

We report a case of necrotising fasciitis of the genitoperineum (Fournier's gangrene) in a HIV positive male following incision and drainage of bilateral ischiorectal fossa abscesses. During surgery to debride the necrotic tissue the rectum was found to be perforated necessitating laparotomy and subsequent abdomino-perineal resection. Although previous reports of Fournier's gangrene in the HIV positive population exist, rectal involvement requiring excision has not previously been reported.

Timing of surgery for fulminating pseudomembranous colitis.

BACKGROUND: With increasing antibiotic usage Clostridium difficile colitis is becoming more common. Surgery for fulminating C. difficile colitis, however, is rare because of the effectiveness of specific anticlostridial chemotherapy. Surgical outcome in five patients with fulminating C. difficile colitis involved in a recent outbreak of this disease is reported. METHODS: Five of 138 patients developed fulminating C. difficile colitis unresponsive to medical therapy. All patients had antibiotics in the preceding period. Indications for operation in those who underwent surgery were systemic toxicity with a pyrexia, marked leukocytosis and abdominal signs leading to progressive organ failure, despite appropriate anticlostridial antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: At operation all patients had a markedly oedematous colon with normal serosa but with acute mucosal colitis. All underwent subtotal abdominal colectomy and ileostomy. Progressive organ failure persisted in four, leading to death, giving a mortality rate of four in five in the operated group in comparison with 3.8 per cent (five of 133 patients) in those treated medically. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that this increasingly common disease frequently leads to a fatal outcome in patients requiring surgery and implies that earlier surgical consultation may be necessary to improve survival in patients with fulminating C. difficile colitis unresponsive to antibiotic therapy.