RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Necrotizing fasciitis. Role of early surgical intervention
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 890
OP 894
VO 25
IS 7
A1 Qazi, Shabir A.
A1 Mohammed, Abdulmajeed A.
A1 Saber, Elsanousi I.
A1 Mirza, Shaukat M.
YR 2004
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/25/7/890.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: To evaluate our experience of management of necrotizing fasciitis (NF) particularly the role of early and aggressive surgical intervention.METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the cases affected by this disease and managed at Riyadh Medical Complex, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during 5 calendar years from 1996 through to 2000 (1416-1420 A.H). The preoperative and operative data was collected, and postoperative morbidity and mortality were analyzed.RESULTS: A total of 25 cases of NF were treated during the 5-year period, 18 were males and 7 female. The majority of patients had perianal suppuration as the primary lesion, followed by groin area in drug addicts and only 2 cases were primarily in the upper limbs. Diabetes and drug addiction were the main predisposing factors. All but 3 infections were polymicrobial, with streptococci and acinobacter being the most frequent organisms. The mainstay of treatment depends on a high index of suspicion, aggressive early and repeated debridements and adequate antibiotic coverage. The overall mortality was 24% but the drastic reduction in mortality was observed with early surgical intervention.CONCLUSION: The results highlight the role of early diagnosis; prompt and aggressive surgical debridements are critical for improved survival.