If necrotising fasciitis is not treated quickly enough, it can lead to multi-organ failure, including liver failure.
How does necrotising fasciitis cause liver failure?
Necrotising fasciitis is an aggressive bacterial infection of the subcutaneous (deep) tissue and fascia (connective tissue).
Initially the infection will begin in the deep tissue. This area of infection will then grow as the bacteria continue to multiply. If treatment is not provided in time, the bacteria will get into the bloodstream.
Once the blood is infected, the bacteria will be carried across the body in the bloodstream. This will cause a reaction from the body’s immune system, which will send white blood cells to fight off the bacteria.
However, this has certain side-effects, one of which is inflammation at the site of infection. Therefore when the immune system tries to attack foreign bodies that have travelled across the body, it will result in widespread inflammation and clotting.
This is called sepsis and it is a very dangerous condition. When widespread inflammation occurs, the flow of blood will be disrupted, preventing the supply of oxygen and blood to the internal organs.
A patient’s blood pressure will then drop to a dangerously low level, making it even harder for blood and oxygen to reach the organs. When this happens, a person is said to have septic shock.
Eventually the organs may become so deficient in oxygen that they begin to shut down. Function will consequently deteriorate, meaning organs such as the heart will not be able to pump enough blood around the body, and the lungs will not be able to take in enough oxygen.
This can affect any of the internal organs, including the liver. Thus necrotising fasciitis can lead to liver failure, as it can cause sepsis and septic shock, which lead to organ failure.
Preventing organ failure from necrotising fasciitis
The only way to prevent necrotising fasciitis causing organ failure is to provide prompt treatment. Emergency debridement surgery must be performed shortly after the onset of symptoms, before the infection reaches the bloodstream.
If treatment is not given in the early stages, questions must be raised as to why this did not occur. If the mistakes of medical practitioners are to blame, there may be grounds for a medical negligence claim.
Often necrotising fasciitis claims arise because doctors have failed to diagnose the condition despite the presence of obvious clinical indicators, or have failed to provide swift treatment once a diagnosis is made.
To talk to a solicitor about making a claim for medical negligence, please get in touch with us today.
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