Treatment of necrotizing fasciitis with quinolones.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of high dose quinolones therapy in patients with necrotizing fasciitis.


METHODS
Descriptive analytical study.


METHODS
The department of Plastic and reconstructive surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, from January 2001 to March 2002.


METHODS
Twenty consecutive patients, diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, were treated with intravenous quinolones (400 mg 8 hourly). The response was evaluated in terms of subsidence of fever and C-reactive proteins levels.


RESULTS
Majority of the patients was male (60%). Lower limb involvement was most commonly involved (70%). The most common initiating cause was injection abscess (45%). Majority of the cultures showed polymicrobial infection (90%). The most common isolate was Streptococcus pyogenes (65%). Majority of the patients showed excellent response with intravenous quinolones (Ciprofloxacin) in high doses in 24-48 hours. Only two patients (10%) failed to respond to therapy due to severe infection and delay in seeking treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous quinolones (Ciprofloxacin) in high doses are effective in controlling necrotizing soft tissue infections.
Khan
Amir Taimur
AT
Department of Plastic Surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex, PGMI, Peshawar. atkhan@psh.paknet.com.pk
Tahmeedullah
Obaidullah
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015363:Quinolones