Clinical evaluation and treatment results of 30 patients with necrotizing fasciitis

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent treatment for necrotizing fasciitis within a five-year period. METHODS: Thirty patients (4 females, 26 males; mean age 55 years; range 19 to 78 years) with necrotizing fasciitis were evaluated with respect to age, sex, etiology, predisposing factors, localization of infections, culture results, and treatment methods and results. RESULTS: The most common etiologic and predisposing factors were anorectal lesions (36.7%) and diabetes (53.3%), respectively. Wound cultures yielded Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 50% of the patients. Two strains of aerobic bacteria were isolated in three patients. All patients underwent extensive surgical debridement and received antibiotic therapy. Twenty-nine patients (96.6%) required more than one debridement, with a mean of 4.5 debridements. The ensuing skin defects following debridement were reconstructed with grafts or local flaps. No complications were encountered in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment result in decreased morbidity and prevent mortality in necrotizing fasciitis.

Nekrotizan fasiitli 30 hastanýn klinik deðerlendirilmesi ve tedavi sonuçlarý