title: An analysis of vulvar necrotizing fasciitis in the unique and ethnically diverse Hawaiian population.
abstract: Vulvar necrotizing fasciitis is a surgical emergency with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Our case series adds seven patients to the literature and presents the first group that is predominantly of Pacific-Islander origin. This study not only confirms traditional risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypertension but investigates ethnicity and socioeconomic status as risk factors. Also presented is a case of recurrent necrotizing fasciitis initially involving the vulva, then the back. In any patient for which there is suspicion of vulvar necrotizing fasciitis, surgical diagnosis remains the gold standard and facilitates rapid debridement of all necrotic tissues. Aggressive surgical debridement with broad spectrum antibiotic coverage is required to minimize mortality.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. jmn14@notes.duke.edu
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Raydeen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Busse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D003646:Debridement; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000382:microbiology; D044465:White People