Necrotising fasciitis is a type of soft tissue infection. It can be known by other names such as Fournier’s Gangrene.
Necrotising soft tissue infections
Necrotising fasciitis is an aggressive and potentially fatal soft tissue infection. It is a bacterial infection, rather than a viral or fungal infection. It was previously considered a Group A Streptococcal infection, although it is now known to be caused by a variety of pathogens.
Necrotising fasciitis has had many previous names, including hospital gangrene, gas gangrene and Fournier’s Gangrene. The term Fournier’s Gangrene is still used, although it refers specifically to necrotising fasciitis that appears in male genitalia.
These types of conditions, such as necrotising fasciitis and Fournier’s Gangrene, fall under the category of ‘necrotising soft tissue infections’. These infections are rapidly progressive and can spread to the skin and muscle.
When a necrotising infection appears in the muscle, it is known as necrotising myositis. Necrotising fasciitis and necrotising myositis can occur at the same time.
Symptoms of necrotising soft tissue infection
The symptoms of a necrotising soft tissue infection can be confusing and indistinct. At first the patient will experience a severe pain in the tissue that has no apparent cause. There may also feel feverish with a high temperature, and chills and shivering.
These symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses such as fever. They can also be puzzling as the pain will not have an obvious cause. Even if there is some form of skin trauma, the pain will be disproportionate to the injury.
Often it is only when the condition has progressed that it become clears that a necrotising soft tissue infection is present. This is because there will be more noticeable skin changes, such as blisters and skin that is black/purple in colour.
Treating necrotising soft tissue infections
Necrotising soft tissue infections are fast-moving conditions that need immediate treatment. Treatment must include intravenous antibiotics and debridement surgery.
The debridement surgery is needed to cut away all of the dead and infected tissue. If surgery is not carried out in time, the infection will have spread to a large area of tissue, all of which will have to be excised. Therefore the surgical procedure can be extensive if treatment is delayed, sometimes involving an amputation.
Delay in diagnosing and treating necrotising soft tissue infections
If there is a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of a necrotising soft tissue infection, and this delay in the fault of medical practitioners, there may be a case of medical negligence. This would entitle the patient or their family to claim compensation. Contact us to find out more.
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