PURPOSE Fournier's gangrene is a necrotizing fasciitis of the genitalia that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Groups at many institutions have initiated routine adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. We examined whether HBO has made a difference in the morbidity, mortality and costs associated with treating this disease. We also analyzed predictors of extended hospital stay and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS The records of patients with the hospital discharge diagnoses of Fournier's gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, gangrene of the genitalia and scrotal gangrene from 1993 to 2002 were reviewed. Data concerning clinical presentation characteristics, hospital stay, complications, hospital charges and outcomes, including graft failure and death, were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 42 patients were identified and followed a median 4.2 years. Of the patients 16 underwent surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy alone, and 26 were treated with HBO plus surgery and antibiotics. Overall disease specific mortality was 21.4%, that is 12.5% in the nonHBO group and 26.9% in the HBO group. Three or more complications occurred in 13% of nonHBO and in 19% of HBO cases, of which the most common was myocardial infarction. The skin graft failure rate was 6% (nonHBO) and 8% (HBO). Physical disability was a statistically significant predictor of extended hospital stay (p <0.01). There was a trend toward a correlation between known coronary artery disease and death (p = 0.2). A statistically significant difference was noted in average daily hospital charges in nonHBO vs HBO cases ($2,552 vs $3,384 daily, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS These data do not support routine HBO in the treatment of Fournier's gangrene. There was a trend toward higher morbidity and mortality in the HBO group, suggesting that treatment may have been given to patients who were more ill.

Objectives. To evaluate the relative renal function on preoperative and postoperative renal scintigraphy with lateralized creatinine clearance. Multiple factors affect renal blood flow and glomerular filtration that alter the relative renal function calculated by renal scintigraphy. The relative renal function according to renal scintigraphy in children with bilateral vesicoureteral reflux has not been compared with lateralized creatinine clearance.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 45 children treated surgically for bilateral vesicoureteral reflux. The average age at time of reimplantation was 5.3 years. Bilateral ureteral catheters were placed intracoperatively. Lateralized creatinine clearance was measured with 24-hour urine collections postoperatively from each catheter. Bladder catheterization was not performed during the renal scans.Results. Thirty-six of 45 children had preoperative 1 to 3-minute relative renal function assessed by scintigraphy, 28 had a postoperative assessment, and 24 had both. Preoperative relative renal function ranged between 51% and 94% (mean 61.3%) in the higher functioning kidney. Postoperative renal function ranged from 47% to 90% (mean 60.5%) in the higher functioning kidney. A strong correlation existed between preoperative relative renal function and lateralized creatinine clearance (P < 0.0001). Similarly, a significant correlation existed between the postoperative assessment and lateralized creatinine clearance (P < 0.0003). No significant difference occurred between the preoperative and postoperative 1 to 3-minute relative renal function (P = 0.3552).Conclusions. The 1 to 3-minute relative renal function determined by renal scintigraphy accurately reflects the relative renal function determined by lateralized creatinine clearance. Bladder catheterization does not appear necessary for accurate determination of relative renal function by renal scan even in the presence of bilateral reflux. (C) 2003, Elsevier Science Inc.