Fournier's Gangrene and Medical Negligence
As a specific form of necrotising fasciitis, Fournier's gangrene is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. If there is a delay, a patient will suffer extensive damage and long-term health complications. If this delay is the fault of medical error, the level of care provided will have fallen below an acceptable standard.
What is Fournier's Gangrene?
Fournier's gangrene is necrotising fasciitis of the external genitalia and perineum. Often known as the flesh-eating disease, necrotising fasciitis is a serious infection whereby bacteria enter the body and begin to reproduce at a rapid rate, releasing a poisonous toxin as they do so. This toxin attacks the soft tissue and underlying fascia, causing it to become necrotic (dead). If a patient develops a necrotising fasciitis infection in the genitalia and surrounding tissues (such as the penis, testes and perineum) he is said to have Fournier's gangrene.
Diagnosing and treating Fournier's Gangrene
Those with Fournier's gangrene will present with the typical symptoms of necrotising fasciitis. A patient will have a fever, and the infected area will be intensely painful, red and hot to touch.
Nevertheless, these complaints can be mistaken for a more minor complaint, with cellulitis being a particularly common misdiagnosis. In order to avoid such an error, medical professionals must look for signs of skin necrosis. This can be readily identified by dark patches on the skin. Only once such dark patches of necrotic skin have developed will it become apparent that a patient is suffering Fournier's gangrene, as opposed to cellulitis. Ordinarily, the clinical progression of skin necrosis will happen extremely rapidly. Regular observation is therefore necessary, as a 'simple' case of cellulitis can progress to Fournier's gangrene over the course of just few hours.
If necrotic blisters do appear, a patient must be started on intravenous antibiotics and surgical debridement (removal) of the affected tissue performed. This treatment should be arranged urgently, as Fournier's gangrene is a urological emergency. If there is a delay in treatment, the infection will spread at a rapid rate, causing increased pain and suffering. The amount of skin that subsequently needs to be removed will also be much more extensive, potentially leaving long-term health complications.
Substandard medical care of Fournier's Gangrene
If there is a delay in diagnosing and treating Fournier's gangrene, it may that medical error is to blame. This may occur because doctors did not:-
- Recognise the signs of skin necrosis;
- Regularly observe the affected area for signs of skin necrosis;
- Perform the tests necessary to diagnose skin necrosis;
- Arrange urgent treatment of skin necrosis.
If this has happened to you or a loved one, there could be grounds for a medical negligence claim, as the standard of care provided will have fallen to an unacceptable level. If you would like to discuss claiming compensation for Fournier's gangrene, you must contact a solicitor as soon as possible.
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Early legal assistance can be vital so please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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