title: Laboratory Risk Indicators for Necrotizing Fasciitis and Associations with Mortality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is rare but life threatening soft tissue infection characterized by a necrotizing process of the subcutaneous tissues and fascial planes. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score has been verified as a useful diagnostic tool for detecting necrotizing fasciitis. A certain LRINEC score might also be associated with mortality. The aims of this study are to determine risk factors affecting the prognosis and to evaluate the prognostic value of the LRINEC score in NF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients with necrotizing fasciitis treated in Samsun Education and Research Hospital between January 2008 and April 2013 were enrolled in the study. Surviving and non-surviving patient groups were compared regarding demographic data, co-morbidity, predisposing factors, causative agents, number of debridements and LRINEC score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 55.6±16.79 years (min: 17-max: 84), and the female/male ratio was 16/9. Mortality was observed in 6 (24%) patients. The most frequent comorbid diseases were diabetes mellitus (52) and peripheral circulatory disorders (24%), and the most frequent etiologies were cutaneous (32%) and perianal abscess (20%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was higher in the non-surviving group (p=0.006). The mean number of debridements and LRINEC score were higher in the non-surviving group than in the surviving group (p=0.003 and p=0.003, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pseudomans aeruginosa infection and multiple debridements are related with mortality. The LRINEC score might help predict mortality in NF.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun.
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Colak
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun.
authors.forename: Nuraydin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ozlem
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun.
authors.forename: Gultekin Ozan
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Kucuk
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun.
authors.forename: Recep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aktimur
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun.
authors.forename: Sadik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kesmer
keywords: Fasciitis; mortality; necrotizing; prognosis