The surgical removal of necrotic (dead) tissue is called debridement surgery. This can be required to treat a number of conditions, including necrotising fasciitis.
Debridement surgery should be performed on an emergency basis for necrotising fasciitis because it is an aggressive infection. All of the dead tissue must be removed if treatment is to be effective.
If medical practitioners fail to debride the necrotic tissue in a reasonable amount of time, causing the patient to suffer harm, there could be grounds for a medical negligence claim.
Necrotising fasciitis and tissue necrosis
Necrotising fasciitis is a bacterial infection that causes the deep tissue to die. This happens because the bacteria get into the tissue and multiply, a process which releases a toxin into the body. This toxin results in widespread damage to the tissues, blood vessels, muscles and nerves.
Because of this damage, the tissue will be deprived of blood and oxygen. The tissue will break down and eventually the oxygen deficiency will cause the tissue to die. This is called tissue necrosis.
Removing dead tissue
Dead tissue cannot be revived and has to be surgically cut away. Moreover, excising the infected tissue is the only way to remove the bacteria from the body. This means that without surgery, the patient cannot be successfully cured.
When dead tissue is removed surgically, it is known as debridement surgery. Debridement surgery is the only effective way to treat necrotising fasciitis.
Absolutely all of the necrotic tissue must be removed. This means that more than one operation may be needed in order to cut away all the dead tissue. Once the surgeon reaches the healthy subcutaneous tissue, further surgery will not be required.
Debridement surgery and amputation
If a large area of tissue has become necrotic, the debridement surgery will be extensive. That is why it is important to catch the infection early on, before too much tissue has become involved. This will also help to prevent serious complications arising, such as sepsis and septic shock.
If the infection has time to spread, a vast amount of tissue will have to be excised. This can leave a terrible defect and scarring in its place. Alternatively if a limb is involved, the damage may be so invasive that an amputation becomes necessary.
Failure to debride necrotic tissue
As mentioned above, the necrotic tissue must be removed as soon as possible. If doctors fail to offer this treatment when a patient presents with necrotising fasciitis, or the surgeon fails to properly debride the infected tissue, there may be a case of medical negligence.
For more information on making a claim for necrotising fasciitis, please contact us today.
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