Gangrene of the External Genitalia at Chu-Abeche

Introduction: Gangrene of the external genitalia organs (EGO) is a medico-surgical emergency that is still very common in Third World countries. The main etiologies are urogenital, dermocutaneous and proctological. Mortality remains very high despite therapeutic advances. Our aim was to report on the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of gangrene of the external genitalia, and to identify prognostic factors. Patients and Method: This was a 5-year retrospective descriptive study, from February 2016 to February 2021, of cases of gangrene of the external genitalia admitted to and treated in the Urology Department of Abeche University Hospital. Results: We collected 49 cases of gangrene of the external genitalia. The mean age of patients was 42 ± 16.81, with extremes of 20 and 81 years. The age group most concerned was between 20 and 29. The most frequent reasons for consultation were suppuration of the external genitalia and scrotal swelling. The average consultation time was 19.05 ± 16.02 days. The most common comorbidity was diabetes (35.9%). The most frequent pathological antecedents were urinary tract infections and endourethral maneuvers, reported in 40.5% and 38.7% respectively. Urogenital aetiology was predominant in 54.7%, and idiopathic in 35.9%. Lesions involved the scrotum in 60.6%, the scrotum and penis in 16.5%, and the penis alone in 5.7% of cases. Lesions extended to the perineum in 13.6% of cases, and to the abdomen in 3.6%. Vascular filling via the central venous line was performed in 58.6% of cases, and via the peripheral venous line in 41.4%. 3rd-generation cephalosporins and associated imidazoles were the most commonly used antibiotics. Necrosectomy was performed in 37 patients (73.4%), debridement combined with bypass cystostomy in 26.6% of cases. Colostomy was performed in 4% of cases. 90.8% of patients were cured and 9.2% died. The average hospital stay was 30 ± 75 days. Conclusion: The gangrene of the external genitalia is a medical and surgical emergency which has become rare in Europe, but which is still very common in the context of our practice in Chad. The severity of the disease is linked to delayed consultation and co-morbidity factors. Mortality remains very high despite therapeutic advances.