Synergistic Gangrene of the Scrotum and Penis Secondary to Colorectal Disease

Abstract

Patients (5) with synergistic gangrene of the genitalia secondary to colorectal disease were described. This number of cases suggests that there may be an increasing incidence of this entity that has been reported only several times in the past. Pseudomonas was one of the organisms cultured in all cases (other organisms found were Escherichia coli, Clostridium spp., Proteus, Staphylococcus albus, Enterobacter). Because of the high mortality rate aggressive therapy was advocated, consisting of early and repeated radial debridement into normal tissues and appropriate management of the colorectal source of contamination. The lower gastrointestinal tract should be considered as a possible cause of infection in all cases of synergistic gangrene of the scrotum and penis.