The Need to Feed

Abstract

Necrotizing soft tissue injury (NSTI) is rare with an impressively difficult and dangerous clinical course. While the importance of nutrition as part of the treatment plan for NSTI is recognized as essential to recovery, specific recommendations have not been elucidated. A review of the evidence-based guidelines and published research to accomplish wound healing is presented. The nutrition considerations in the setting of organ failure are also discussed. This article outlines a complicated case of a septic, malnourished man with Fournier’s gangrene and acute kidney injury. Protein loss from exudate extracted from a negative-pressure vacuum helped estimate the amount of protein needed to accomplish wound healing and guide clinical care. Development of acute kidney injury resulted in protein restriction at the request of the consulting renal service. This restriction led to insufficient protein intake to meet needs required for wound healing as evidenced by a nitrogen balance study and analysis of wound exudate. The estimated daily protein losses through the wound were within 11–26 g protein (2–4 g nitrogen) per day. Inclusion of wound exudate nitrogen loss in nitrogen balance analyses helped resolve conflicting treatment approaches. Estimating protein loss from wound exudate allows for individualization of protein requirements.