title: Outcomes from treatment of necrotizing soft-tissue infections: results from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs) are a group of uncommon, rapidly progressive, potentially fatal disorders. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Registry was used to determine current data on the incidence, treatment, and outcomes of NSTIs.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 688 NSTI cases identified for years 2005 to 2008. Ten control patients for each NSTI patient were also selected. Demographic, laboratory, and outcome data were collected to compare both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, or septic shock occurred in 83% of NSTI cases. Mortality was 12% for NSTI patients versus 2% for controls. Regression analysis showed that age, emergent surgery, transfer from an outside hospital, sepsis, and several comorbid diseases correlated with mortality but not sex or diabetes. Direct admission was associated with reduced mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NSTIs are seen regularly in academic centers, and their incidence may be increasing. Despite a high incidence of comorbid conditions and frequent presentation with sepsis, mortality is lower than previously reported, reflecting ongoing progress in the treatment of these disorders at NSQIP hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, 3B-306, University of Utah, Health Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
authors.forename: Megan K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Faraklas
authors.forename: Cherisse
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Stoddard
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saffle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016208:Databases, Factual; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D018934:Fournier Gangrene / Q000628:therapy; D005738:Gas Gangrene / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome