Evaluation and Management of Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2017 Sep;31(3):497-511. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2017.05.011.

Abstract

Despite advances in antibiotic and surgical management and supportive care for necrotizing soft tissue infections, morbidity and mortality remain substantial. Although there are clinical practice guidelines in place, there still remains much variability in choice and duration of antibiotic therapy, time to initial surgical debridement, and use of adjuvant medical therapies. This article offers an overview of necrotizing soft tissue infections with a focus on current diagnostic and treatment modalities.

Keywords: Gangrene; Necrotizing fasciitis; Sepsis; Soft tissue infection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Debridement
  • Disease Management
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / complications
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / diagnosis*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / drug therapy
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / therapy*
  • Gangrene / drug therapy
  • Gangrene / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation
  • Immunoglobulins / administration & dosage
  • Immunoglobulins / therapeutic use
  • Sepsis / drug therapy
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Sepsis / therapy
  • Soft Tissue Infections / complications
  • Soft Tissue Infections / diagnosis*
  • Soft Tissue Infections / drug therapy
  • Soft Tissue Infections / therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Immunoglobulins