title: Necrotizing fasciitis of the chest wall.
abstract: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an uncommon infection caused by microorganisms called 'flesh eating bacteria'. It remains a life-threatening condition associated with high mortality rate. Its location to the chest wall is exceptional. Herein, we report the case of a 39-year-old female, without comorbidity, presenting a NF of the chest wall complicating an empyema. We describe the surgical management with a three-step procedure: antibiotherapy-debridement, vacuum-assisted closure and delayed surgical reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sainte-Marguerite Hospital, University of the Mediterranean and Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
authors.forename: Xavier Benoit
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: D'Journo
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Casanova
authors.forename: Pascal A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003646:Debridement; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D034364:Streptococcus milleri Group / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents