New uses of fluorescence in the surgical management of necrotizing soft tissue infection.
The planning of incisions in the management of necrotizing soft tissue infections has largely been carried out by subjective methods. Because of disruption of the fasciocutaneous circulation, the perfusion of randomly based flaps is frequently tenuous. A method that provides safe, rapid, and accurate evaluation of tissue perfusion would therefore prove invaluable in the preoperative planning, as well as in the postoperative management of these infections. The digital dermofluorometer is a recently introduced instrument that objectively evaluates skin blood flow based on the cutaneous delivery of sodium fluorescein. We have used the technique successfully and without incident in patients who presented with necrotizing soft tissue infections. The theory, methods, and application of the test have been presented along with two case reports.
D000328:Adult; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D019793:Fluorescein; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005470:Fluorometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
D005452:Fluoresceins; D019793:Fluorescein