Necrotising fasciitis and its surgical treatment can ravage the body, leaving terrible disability and scarring. Early diagnosis is crucial in order to minimise its impact on the patient.
The impact of necrotising fasciitis
The bacteria which cause necrotising fasciitis can spread rapidly through the body causing the death and destruction of all tissue it affects. In order to halt the spread of the infection, it is necessary for all affected tissue to be surgically removed. Where the infection has become advanced, this can cause considerable physical damage to the body.
Necrotising fasciitis generally affects the abdominal region, the genital and anal area as well as the limbs. Significant damage to these areas of the body can leave the patient scarred, disabled and with significant incontinence and sexual problems. The patient may require a colostomy if the bowel has been affected.
Despite reconstruction and plastic surgery this appalling illness can cause permanent physical damage.
Inevitably, the impact of the condition does not end there as the psychological impact of such an illness and the attendant surgery and hospitalisation is also psychologically damaging. The mortality rate from necrotising fasciitis is high and the trauma of having undergone the horror of this illness can have a long-lasting effect on the confidence of the patient.
The need for early diagnosis
Once necrotising fasciitis has been diagnosed, treatment is a matter of emergency. Early treatment of the condition reduces the risk of the patient dying. Therefore, early recognition of the symptoms is absolutely imperative.
Necrotising fasciitis is an infection which usually comes about when bacteria which is normally found outside the body somehow reaches the deep soft tissue.
This is most likely to occur when the patient has suffered some sort of injury which leaves a cut to the skin. This could be an accidental injury due to a fall or accident at home or in the garden or it could be as a result of medical treatment such as an injection or an incision to the skin during surgery.
Where this has occurred the patient is likely to suffer the following symptoms in the region of the cut:
- Redness
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Extreme, intense pain
These symptoms are sometimes misdiagnosed as Deep Vein Thrombosis or Cellulitis which are far more common but the possibility of necrotising fasciitis should not be ignored as a failure to diagnose accurately and promptly can prove fatal.
A patient who is developing necrotising fasciitis is also likely to be exhibiting symptoms of infection such as a high temperature or chills, a fast heartbeat and nausea or vomiting.
A urgent referral for further investigation is essential where these symptoms are combined in order to rule out any possibility that the patient is developing this horrific condition.
Medical negligence
Where symptoms of necrotising fasciitis are misdiagnosed leading to a delay in treatment, the GP or A&E practitioner may be considered to have provided substandard medical care.
If the long-term outcome for the patient has proved to be significantly worse because of this delay, it may be appropriate to consider making a claim for compensation.
Contact us if you or a loved one have suffered the dreadful impact of this appalling condition due to medical delays. A specialist medical negligence solicitor will advise you as to whether a compensation claim might be advisable.
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