Post-operative infections are a huge and growing problem worldwide. And necrotising fasciitis is one of the most deadly.
Non-surgical related causes of necrotising fasciitis
There are a number of scenarios where a person might develop necrotising fasciitis which are not related to surgical procedures:
- the patient may suffer an injury at home or in the workplace which provides the bacteria with a portal of entry into the soft, deep tissue of the body. This can be as small as a graze or as traumatic as a gun wound. There are suggestions that even a spider bite can be sufficient to allow bacteria into the body. The bacteria will then infect local tissue and spread through the body
- necrotising fasciitis has also been known to develop secondary to a pre-existing internal abdominal complication such as a perforated appendix or perforated diverticulitis
However, surgical procedures also offer a perfect opportunity for otherwise fairly harmless bacteria to enter the body and cause devastation.
Post-operative necrotising fasciitis
Surgical procedures – whether open surgery or keyhole – are great opportunities for bacteria to enter the body.
Patients about to undergo surgical operations where they will experience incisions to the body, especially those patients who are particularly vulnerable to infection, may need prophylactic antibiotics to try to prevent the development of infection.
Necrotising fasciitis tends to affect the abdomen and limbs so patients undergoing surgery in those areas, such as a caesarean section, a hysterectomy, gallbladder removal etc., are also particularly vulnerable.
Patients who have recently undergone surgery require close attention and any signs of infection should merit further investigation
Medical negligence
Occasionally, however, there is a failure in care and the patient does not receive antibiotics which might protect them. Should the patient develop necrotising fasciitis, it may be appropriate for them to consider making a claim for compensation.
Necrotising fasciitis can cause both physical and psychological trauma and where it is considered that it need not have occurred with better care, the medical professional may be found to have provided substandard care.
Speak to a medical negligence solicitor
If you or a loved one have suffered the shocking effects of necrotising fasciitis due to a failure of medical care, ring us to discuss your experience with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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