Necrotizing fasciitis is a relatively uncommon but serious disease, indicated by progressive infection causing extensive necrosis of the fascia. We have had 10 cases of necrotizing fasciitis at our hospital during the last ten years in six men and four women, ranging in age from 4 to 78 years. The upper extremities were the sites of involvement in three cases and lower extremities in seven.
Seven patients had associated chronic disease such as diabetes mellitus and liver dysfunction. Causative organisms were Streptococcus in four cases. Staphylococcus aureus in two, vibrio vulnificus in one and Klebsiella in one. The mortality rate was 10% (1 of 10).
The presence of chronic debilitating diseases may contribute to the onset of necrotizing fasciitis, but in our cases the relatiom between the severity and prognosis of necrotizing fasciitis was not recognized. Early diagnosis, local therapy (surgical debridement) and systemic therapy are important in the Treatment of necrotizing fasciitis.
