Clinical evaluation of forty-four patients with necrotizing fasciitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but life-threatening soft-tissue infection primarily involving the superficial fascia and subcutaneous tissue. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of 44 patients with necrotizing fasciitis between 2004 and 2008 in Akdeniz University Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and other departments. The aim of this study was to determine the causative agents of the necrotizing fasciitis, and the localization, predisposing factors, and comorbid conditions. RESULTS We found that diabetes mellitus, trauma and surgery were the most important predisposing factors. Moreover, the lower extremity and perianal region were the most frequently involved sites. Polymicrobial agents were the most frequent and the mortality was found as 25%. CONCLUSION In conclusion, necrotizing fasciitis cases followed in our hospital were evaluated in this study.