In this article we explore how to treat necrotising fasciitis, an aggressive bacterial infection.
How to treat necrotising fasciitis?
Necrotising fasciitis is treated with:
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics
- Debridement surgery
The provision of both antibiotics and surgery are extremely important; necrotising fasciitis cannot be cured without them. The reason why such treatment is needed is explained in more detail below.
Why is necrotising fasciitis treatment needed?
If necrotising fasciitis is not treated, the patient will not survive. Mortality rates for necrotising fasciitis are high even when treatment is given in the early stages, with around 20-30% of patients dying. If treatment is not provided, the mortality rate is 100%.
Therefore timely necrotising fasciitis treatment is vital. As mentioned above, a patient must receive both broad-spectrum antibiotics and undergo debridement surgery.
Antibiotics
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are needed because necrotising fasciitis is a bacterial infection. Antibiotics are effective because they kill microorganisms such as bacteria.
There are many different types of antibiotic available. Certain antibiotics are more effective against certain bacteria. A necrotising fasciitis patient should at first be given a mixture of antibiotics – known as broad-spectrum antibiotics. Medical practitioners can then set about identifying the bacteria causing the infection. A more refined course of antibiotics can be given once this has been determined.
However, it is vital not to wait until the precise nature of the infection has been verified. Necrotising fasciitis must be treated quickly and broad-spectrum antibiotics will be useful in killing the infection.
The antibiotics should be administered intravenously – i.e. straight into the vein.
Debridement surgery
Debridement surgery is when tissue/muscle that has been necrotic is cut away. Necrotic tissue is the medical way of saying dead tissue. It is a consequence of the infection, during which bacteria get into the deep tissues and release a poisonous chemical. This causes the surrounding tissue, and sometimes muscle, to break down and die.
All of the tissue and muscle that has become necrotic must be surgically removed, even if it is a very large area. Sometimes so much tissue needs to be excised that an entire limb must be amputated.
Without debridement surgery, the bacteria will remain inside the body. Therefore it must be carried out or necrotising fasciitis will not be successfully treatment. Sometimes the plastic and reconstructive team will be asked to attend the operation to help with the wound closure.
Delayed treatment
This treatment must be given as early as possible, before the infection has been too far advanced. If doctors fail to do so, there may be grounds for a compensation claim. Contact us for more information.
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