Necrotising fasciitis is a life-threatening illness which tends to develop in the abdominal area or limbs. Surprisingly, it can result from a failure to treat appendicitis, a common and recognisable condition.
Causes of necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis usually develops as a result of bacteria infiltrating the patient’s soft, deep tissue via a cut or wound to the skin which provides a portal of entry. Thus, patients in hospital undergoing surgery or those who have recently experienced an injury, however small, are particularly vulnerable.
Occasionally, however, necrotising fasciitis can develop from an internal condition such as diverticulitis or appendicitis.
What is appendicitis?
Appendicitis is a condition where the appendix connected to the large intestine becomes inflamed. This can cause severe pain and is usually dealt with by having the appendix surgically removed.
If the condition is misdiagnosed, however, or treatment is delayed, it can lead to the appendix bursting.
This is a life-threatening medical emergency.
A burst or perforated appendix
The location of the appendix makes any damage a cause for considerable concern. Attached to the large intestine, a burst appendix can allow bacterial, faecal matter to leak from the large intestine into the abdominal cavity.
This can cause the lining of the abdomen, the peritoneum, to become infected and is often a trigger for sepsis, where the body fails to respond proportionately to infection and can cause the death of the patient.
Very occasionally, a burst appendix has been known to lead to the patient developing necrotising fasciitis.
Necrotising fasciitis and a perforated appendix
If necrotising fasciitis takes hold following a burst appendix, it is likely to affect the abdominal wall but can spread rapidly from that location to affect the chest and lower limbs.
The patient is then likely to require extensive surgical debridement, or removal of all damaged tissue.
Medical care
Prompt treatment of appendicitis is imperative as a delay can allow the appendix to burst, causing a possible range of complications.
Observation of those patients who might be considered especially vulnerable to infection, such as those who suffer with diabetes, is also necessary.
Where complications arise, it is necessary that the symptoms of infection are recognised as quickly as possible to ensure the promptest, most effective treatment, and the best outcome for the patient.
Medical Negligence
Where a delay in treating appendicitis allows the patient to suffer the appalling effects of necrotising fasciitis, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Contact us to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor if you or a loved one have suffered on-going symptoms due to this medical failing.
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