Patients do survive necrotising fasciitis, but only if immediate surgical treatment is provided. If there is a delay, fatal complications could occur.
Surgical debridement for necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis must be treated with debridement surgery. Debridement surgery is when tissue that has become necrotic (i.e. died) is cut away.
The tissue becomes necrotic because the deep tissues are infected with a certain type of bacteria. These enter the body via a break in the skin. The bacteria reproduce, releasing a toxin into the surrounding area. This triggers a set of reactions that causes the tissue to deteriorate and die. Tissue death is known medically as tissue necrosis.
In the absence of surgical debridement, more tissue will become necrotic. The area of necrosis will grow until treatment is given. This is because the bacteria carry on reproducing, spreading further and further across the body. The spread of infection happens at an alarming rate, so an extensive area of necrotic tissue may occur within hours.
It is therefore essential that debridement surgery is provided immediately. Any delay will mean that the patient suffers widespread tissue necrosis. This can be so severe that it leads to permanent dysfunction. Indeed, amputations are not uncommon with necrotising fasciitis.
Sepsis
If treatment is delayed, it is also possible that the bacteria will reach the bloodstream. Once in the blood, the bacteria will travel throughout the body. This prompts the body’s immune system to go into overdrive in an attempt to fight the infection, a by-product of which is inflammation and blood clots. This is called sepsis.
Sepsis will disrupt the normal blood supply, causing the body’s blood pressure to drop. This is called septic shock. With poor blood supply and low blood pressure, the body’s organs will not receive the blood and oxygen then need to function. Consequently the organs will begin to shut down, placing a patient in a critically ill position.
Surviving necrotising fasciitis
These fatal complications can be prevented with timely treatment. However, even if a patient does survive, he/she may have a long road to recovery, and may also be left with a permanent defect, extensive scarring and psychological injuries.
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