Abstract
Background
Necrotizing fasciitis is a soft tissue gangrenous infection that require early diagnosis, radical debridement and broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Aim
To review the clinical spectrum and outcome of necrotizing fasciitis in Kwong Wah Hospital during a period of 18 months.
Method
Cases of necrotizing fasciitis were identified from discharge statistics for the period January 1999 to June 2000. Accident and Emergency Department (AED) notes and clinical records after admission were reviewed for clinical features, predisposing factors, microbiology, histology, treatment and outcome.
Results
Fifteen cases of necrotizing fasciitis were found but two of them had wrong diagnosis made. Of the thirteen cases, ten were male and three were female. The average age was 61.7 years old. Most of them presented with different combinations of swelling, pain, erythema and fever. They attended the emergency department with an interval of 3.5 days from the onset of symptoms. Risk factors were identified in 64% of patients, with diabetes mellitis (DM) and hypertension (HT) being the most common. Monomicrobial and polymicrobial infections were equally common in our study. Streptococcus pyogene was the most common pathogen. Only two NF (18%) were diagnosed in AED. Six patients were admitted to either surgical or orthopaedic wards and all of them underwent operations within 24 hours although two of them died. Other five patients were managed in medical ward and four of these patients underwent delayed operations but survived whilst one of them died despite of early surgical intervention. Overall mortality was 23%.
Conclusions
This condition affects a wide age group and have associated morbidities. It is often a fatal disease. Early recognition, high dose antibiotics and surgical debridement are important in its management.