Fournier's gangrene is a polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and genitalia. The cornerstone of treatment in this condition is:

• A Broad-spectrum antibiotics alone with delayed debridement
• B Emergency wide surgical debridement with broad-spectrum antibiotics ✓
• C Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as the primary intervention
• D Urinary diversion followed by antibiotic treatment

Explanation

Fournier's gangrene requires emergency surgical debridement as the definitive and most critical treatment — without adequate excision of all necrotic tissue, mortality reaches near 100%. Broad-spectrum antibiotics covering aerobic Gram-positives, Gram-negatives, and anaerobes are given simultaneously but are adjunctive. Debridement must be radical and may need to be repeated until infection is controlled. Hyperbaric oxygen may be used as an adjunct in specialized centers but is not the primary treatment. Urinary diversion via suprapubic catheter may be needed but is secondary.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.