Publication

Abstract : Background: Necrotising fasciitis is a rare severe soft tissue infection with a paucity of early symptoms to diagnose the condition. Early diagnosis and institution of treatment may improve outcome. Aim: To study the factors likely to influence rate of mortality. Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 42 patients of non-diabetic necrotising fasciitis over 10 years. After clinical examination and workup patient underwent early debridement with empirical antibiotic therapy. The features used for analysis included age, gender, concurrent systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease and cancer), duration between the onset of symptom and wound debridement and laboratory parameters Results: Analysis showed that the duration between onset of first symptom and debridement was the key factor deciding the outcome. Mortality is not affected by the microbiological spectrum. Conclusion: Early adequate source control with debridement gives the best results. Morbidity, mortality and renal risk increase with delay in treatment. Early empirical antibiotic therapy only helps in masking the symptoms.