title: Abdominoplasty as a reconstructive surgical treatment of necrotising fasciitis of the abdominal wall.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a potentially fatal, uncommon infection of the soft tissue with rapid progression. This article presents one case of NF of the abdomen wall, describing the presentation, diagnosis and long-term successful treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The defect of the abdominal wall was treated with medical support (antibiotics broad-spectrum coverage), V.A.C. therapy and plastic surgery procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The coverage of the abdominal wall defect has been achieved by abdominoplasty-type advancement flaps in one step with the preservation of the umbilicus. One month after the surgical procedure, the patient returned to a normal lifestyle with a good quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The success of this case should be attributed to an early diagnosis, aggressive debridement and a good intensive medical management; these elements are essential to a better prognosis for NF.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Unit, University of Siena, Le Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy. annabrafa@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brafa
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grimaldi
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brandi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nisi
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calabrò
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campa
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Aniello
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps