Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck: 34 cases of a single institution experience.
We analyzed 34 patients with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) of the head and neck. According to the clinical presentation, we classified NF into the cervical and cranial type. Infection can spread along the superficial lamina or along the pretracheal lamina of the deep cervical fascia. In the first type, skin necrosis is the main sequelae, while in the second case, descending infection and mediastinitis are the main complications. Of the 34 patients, in 17 the infection progressed in the mediastinum. Due to aggressive surgical therapy and postoperative intensive care, the mortality rate remained low (1/17; 6%). In this analysis, we emphasize the importance of an accurate and fast diagnosis, followed by aggressive surgical therapy and a multidisciplinary approach.
Lanisnik
Bostjan
B
Department for ENT-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Clinical Center Maribor, Ljubljanska 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia. bostjan.lanisnik@siol.net
Cizmarevic
Bogdan
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003422:Critical Care; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents