Successful management of necrotizing fasciitis due to Vibrio vulnificus : a case report

Abstract

A 65-year-old male presented with shock at our institute 2 days after fishing at the beach. Purpuras and blisters were observed over his lower limbs that expanded every hour. We suspected that he had necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus, and therefore we conducted bilateral above-knee amputation. However, we also observed the purpuras over the right upper limb expanding after the surgery. Therefore, we attempted to amputate the right limb, but his family refused the surgery. We decided to debride the necrotic tissue as much as possible and thus managed to save his life and the right limb after 72 days of meticulous intensive care.