Necrotizing fasciitis in childhood. Case report, and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an aggressive and relatively rare soft tissue infection, involving the fascia and the subcutaneous tissue, with a rapidly fatal evolution.


METHODS
GE, an 8 year-old girl presented with edema and redness of the external genitalia. Twelve hours later, she became toxic while her redness extended in the abdominal wall and both upper thighs. CT of the abdomen was consistent with NF. She underwent prompt surgery (debridement and colostomy), followed by plastic reconstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
Early suspicion and prompt aggressive surgery is the key of therapy in case of NF.
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nikea General Hospital, Pireus, Greece. thkoul@yahoo.gr
Epaminondas
E
Kostopoulos
Kostas
K
Koulopoulos
Nicoletta
N
Kalantzi
Nectarios
N
Lainakis
Kyriakos
K
Skannavis
Athanasios
A
Kourakos
Vassilios
V
Trapalis
D002648:Child; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans