Necrotizing fasciitis with no mortality or limb loss

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis is a potentially lethal invasive soft tissue infection. Early aggressive antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement have been the hallmark of successful therapy. It is commonly held that delays in surgical debridement significantly increase the mortality rate and rate of limb loss. A mortality rate of 20 per cent or greater has been reported throughout the last 80 years. We recently reviewed the cases of 20 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital in various stages of necrotizing fasciitis progression. Treatment of all 20 patients consisted of antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement, with frequent follow-up serial debridement. Topical negative pressure was achieved with the use of the Vacuum Assisted Closure system. An aggressive surgical approach, (including the frequency of debridement, appropriate antibiotic utilization, and use of the Vacuum Assisted Closure system), significantly impacted our results, despite delays in treatment and progression of the infection.