Prognosis
Prognostic factors in necrotising fasciitis include: (1)
- extent of infection
- delayed first debridement
- multi-organ dysfunction or systemic inflammatory response at presentation
- diabetes mellitus
- peripheral vascular disease
- malnutrition
- malignancy
- immunocompromised states eg HIV/AIDS, steroids, cytotoxics
- obesity
- chronic alcoholism
- IV drug abuse
One study of NF affecting upper or lower limbs found 22.3% underwent amputation or disarticulation of a limb following failure of multiple debridement attempts to control infection. (2)
Mortality from necrotising fasciitis properly treated with surgery plus antibiotics has been estimated at between 10% and 40%. Mortality is higher in patients who develop shock and end-organ damage - approaching 50% to 70% (3)
Reference:
- Diab J et al. Necrotising fasciitis. BMJ 2020;369:m1428.
- Angoules AG, Kontakis G, Drakoulakis E, et al; Necrotising fasciitis of upper and lower limb: a systematic review. Injury. 2007 Dec;38 Suppl 5:S19-26
- Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections: 2014 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Jul 15;59(2):e10-52.
Related pages
Create an account to add page annotations
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.