Patient selection: necrotizing soft tissue infection
Outcome: mortality
Most infections are polymicrobic (69%), especially those following surgery (82%).
Risk factors for mortality:
(1) delay in presentation
(2) delay in debridement or inadequate debridement
(3) failure to manage aggressively
(4) rapidly progressive septicemia
Morbidities that may arise:
(1) hypocalcemia (calcium deposition in areas of tissue necrosis)
(2) anemia (due to intravascular hemolysis)
(3) multi-organ failure
(4) pain
(5) malnutrition
(6) nosocomial infection
(7) altered mental status
(8) acidosis
Factors that may contribute to spread of the infection:
(1) obesity
(2) diabetes mellitus
(3) alcoholism
(4) corticosteroid therapy
(5) hypoalbuminemia
(6) peripheral arterial disease
(7) decreased sensation (diabetic neuropathy, paraplegia)
