title: Necrotising fasciitis of the head and neck: a review of the literature.
abstract: Necrotising fasciitis is a severe life threatening bacterial infection of the fascial planes which is relatively rare in the head and neck region. The hallmark of the disease is selective necrosis of the fascia overlying skin and adjacent vasculature. Primary odontogenic infection due to aerobes and obligate anaerobes and trauma amongst other factors, are frequently responsible for this condition. Similarly, affected individuals often have an underlying systemic disease, the most common of which is diabetes mellitus. Treatment usually involves appropriate antimicrobial therapy, control of systemic disease, thorough surgical debridement, gamma globulin administration and hyperbaric oxygen where facilities exist. Significant morbidity and mortality attends necrotising fasciitis when treatment is delayed due to toxaemia, dehydration and severe biochemical disturbances. Prompt diagnosis, adequate resuscitation, thorough and frequent surgical debridement remains the cornerstone to a successful outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife.
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Ugboko
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Assam
authors.forename: F O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Oginni
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Amole
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015984:Causality; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications; D003646:Debridement; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000150:complications; D009017:Morbidity; D009333:Neck; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005719:gamma-Globulins