Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) are rare and rapidly progressing infections involving any layer of soft tissue including skin, subcutaneous fat, fascia, and/or muscle (1).
N...
Only 10–40% of patients present with recent history of trauma (3).
Inquire about history of trauma, burns, cellulitis, infection, recent surgery, IV drug use.
Symptoms often progress ra...
Prompt and wide surgical débridement is the cornerstone of treatment.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics should be administered once diagnosis of NSTI is suspected.
Resuscitation for t...
May require ICU care
Monitor for clinical signs indicating need for repeated débridement.
Antibiotic therapy should be administered until further ...
Kao LS, Lew DF, Arab SN, et al. Local variations in the epidemiology, microbiology, and outcome of necrotizing soft-tissue infections: a multicenter study. Am J Surg. 2011;202...
M72.6 Necrotizing fasciitis
L03.90 Cellulitis, unspecified
A48.0 Gas gangrene
N49.3 Fournier gangrene
728.86 Necrotizing fasciitis
682.9 Cellulitis and abscess of unspecified sites
040.0 Gas ...
NSTI are associated with potentially life-threatening, rapidly progressive, widespread necrosis.
Consider necrotizing soft tissue infection in patients with pain out of proportion to ph...
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