Factors associated with mortality in patients with extremity necrotizing soft-tissue infections: a single academic center experience.

PURPOSE: Necrotizing soft-tissue infection (NSTI) is a surgical emergency associated with high mortality. This study primarily aimed to identify the factors associated with in-hospital mortality due to NSTI in the extremities at a single institution. Secondarily, we aimed to clarify the effectiveness of the optimal combination of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and surgery for NSTI treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. METHODS: This study included all patients newly diagnosed with NSTI in the extremity from 2003 to 2021 in our hospital. Factors associated with mortality, including patient's characteristics, duration from onset to hospitalization, NSTI type, and clinical data at the initial visit; acute disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis score, and sequential organ failure assessment score; treatment, initial surgery, surgery times, amputation, HBOT, combined surgery with HBOT, and clinical outcomes; amputation rate, mortality rate, and hospitalization duration were examined. RESULTS: A total of 37 cases were treated for NSTIs. The median age was 64 years (range: 22-86). Five cases (13.5%) died during hospitalization. Ten patients were diagnosed with DIC at the initial visit, of whom four died. HBOT combined with surgery was performed in 23 cases, and 16 cases underwent multiple surgeries. Factors associated with mortality included DIC (p = 0.015, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.015-0.633) and multiple surgeries combined with HBOT (p = 0.028, 95% CI: 1.302-95.418). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that DIC at the initial visit is associated with mortality in extremity NSTI. Additionally, HBOT might improve prognosis when combined with multiple surgeries.

[Diagnosis of severe skin infections, epidemiology and clinical semiology]. / Diagnostic des infections cutanées graves, épidémiologie et sémiologie clinique.

DIAGNOSIS OF SEVERE SKIN INFECTIONS, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL SEMIOLOGY. Serious skin infections are mainly represented by necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTI). They are rare but associated with a high mortality rate and severe long-term sequelae. Despite their relatively low incidence, most physicians may see at least one case of NSTI throughout their career. The main difficulty lies in establishing an early diagnosis with a rapid distinction of necrotizing soft tissue infections from non-necrotizing soft tissue infection. Early diagnosis and surgical management are major prognostic factors.

DIAGNOSTIC DES INFECTIONS CUTANÉES GRAVES, ÉPIDÉMIOLOGIE ET SÉMIOLOGIE CLINIQUE. Les infections cutanées graves sont essentiellement représentées par les infections nécrosantes des tissus mous, ou dermohypodermites bactériennes nécrosantes-fasciites nécrosantes (DHBN-FN). Elles sont rares mais associées à une mortalité élevée et à de lourdes séquelles à long terme. Malgré leur incidence relativement faible, la plupart des médecins peuvent être amenés à voir au moins un cas de DHBN-FN au cours de leur carrière. La principale difficulté réside dans le fait d'établir un diagnostic précoce, avec une distinction rapide du caractère nécrosant de la dermohypodermite bactérienne. La précocité du diagnostic et de la prise en charge chirurgicale sont des facteurs pronostiques majeurs.

Systemic immune activation profiles in streptococcal necrotizing soft tissue infections: A prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Early stages with streptococcal necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are often difficult to discern from cellulitis. Increased insight into inflammatory responses in streptococcal disease may guide correct interventions and discovery of novel diagnostic targets. METHODS: Plasma levels of 37 mediators, leucocytes and CRP from 102 patients with ß-hemolytic streptococcal NSTI derived from a prospective Scandinavian multicentre study were compared to those of 23 cases of streptococcal cellulitis. Hierarchical cluster analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Differences in mediator levels between NSTI and cellulitis cases were revealed, in particular for IL-1ß, TNFα and CXCL8 (AUC >0.90). Across streptococcal NSTI etiologies, eight biomarkers separated cases with septic shock from those without, and four mediators predicted a severe outcome. CONCLUSION: Several inflammatory mediators and wider profiles were identified as potential biomarkers of NSTI. Associations of biomarker levels to type of infection and outcomes may be utilized to improve patient care and outcomes.

Fatal infective necrotising fasciitis: Complication following Naja nigricincta nigricincta bite (western barred spitting cobra/zebra snake).

Wound infections following cytotoxic snakebites are common. Bites from Naja nigricincta nigricincta (an African spitting cobra) usually present as severe dermonecrosis spreading within the subdermal fascia layer. Primary infections can follow inoculation of the snake's oral flora during the bite, worsening the dermonecrosis into infective necrotising fasciitis. We report the case of a 2½-year-old boy who presented with infective (Proteus vulgaris) necrotising fasciitis after an N. n. nigricincta bite, resulting in multiple-organ failure and death. A P. vulgaris with the same antibiotic profile was cultured from the mouth of the snake.

Lucio phenomenon with concomitant necrotizing fasciitis and acute kidney injury.

Lucio phenomenon is a rare vasculopathy that can occur in patients with Hansen disease, particularly diffuse lepromatous leprosy. It is characterized by retiform purpura and necrotic ulcerations, most commonly affecting the extremities. Diagnosing Lucio phenomenon can be challenging, especially when secondary bacterial infections occur. We report a patient with Lucio phenomenon who presented with acute necrotizing fasciitis of his left upper extremity and a 10-year history of chronic ulcerations. Shortly following admission, he also developed acute kidney injury. The necrotizing fasciitis was treated with prompt surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotics. Biopsy and PCR of a right upper extremity ulcer confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Multidrug therapy and prednisone were used to treat the Lucio phenomenon. After initiating treatment, no new lesions developed, kidney function improved, and the patient underwent successful skin graft of his left upper extremity. Although corticosteroid use is controversial, our patient's marked response to multidrug therapy with prednisone highlights the importance of this regimen in severe presentations of Lucio phenomenon. To the best of our knowledge, only two other cases of Lucio phenomenon confirmed to be caused by M. lepromatosis have been reported in living patients (rather than retrospectively identified post-mortem), underscoring the importance of the presented clinical course and treatment regimen.

Vibrio vulnificus necrotizing fasciitis with sepsis presenting with pain in the lower legs in winter: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Vibrio vulnificus infections develop rapidly and are associated with a high mortality rate. The rates of diagnosis and treatment are directly associated with mortality. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe an unusual case of a 61-year-old male patient with chronic liver disease and diabetes who presented with a chief complaint of pain in both lower legs due to V. vulnificus infection in winter. Within 12 h of arrival, typical skin lesions appeared, and the patient rapidly developed primary sepsis. Despite prompt appropriate antibiotic and surgical treatment, the patient died 16 days after admission. CONCLUSION: Our case findings suggest that V. vulnificus infection should be suspected in patients with an unclear infection status experiencing pain of unknown origin in the lower legs, particularly in patients with liver disease or diabetes, immunocompromised status, and alcoholism.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 infection coexisting in concurrent necrotising fasciitis with deep space infection of neck: an unusual presentation.

Ludwig's angina is a rapidly spreading, potentially fatal infection of deep fascial spaces of the neck leading to airway oedema and death. This, in recent times when associated with COVID-19 infection, possess treatment challenges making the patient susceptible to opportunistic infections with reduced healing potential. Owing to the multifactorial aetiology in our case and addressing them at the earliest, it is important to achieve favourable outcomes. The space infection that seeded with untreated trivial dental caries progressed to necrotising fasciitis of neck with mycobacterial growth on cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test for tuberculosis testing. The presence of Mycobacterium organisms should be speculated in patients with pulmonary signs of tuberculosis (TB) because a suppurative TB lymphadenitis of neck could also have the same presentation. The decisive moment in successful outcome was identification of mycobacteria in COVID-19 infected patient, thereby allowing to initiate the antitubercular therapy along with surgical debridement. Thus, medical management of patient with cohabiting infections is difficult task and needs appropriate addressal.

The development of surgical risk score and evaluation of necrotizing soft tissue infection in 161 Naja atra envenomed patients.

BACKGROUND: Naja atra bites cause wound necrosis, secondary infection, and necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) requiring repetitive surgeries. Little information is known about the predictors for surgery after these bites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 161 patients envenomed by N. atra, 80 of whom underwent surgery because of wound necrosis and infection. We compared the patients' variables between surgical and non-surgical groups. To construct a surgical risk score, we converted the regression coefficients of the significant factors in the multivariate logistic regression into integers. We also examined the deep tissue cultures and pathological findings of the debrided tissue. RESULTS: A lower limb as the bite site, a ≥3 swelling grade, bullae or blister formation, gastrointestinal (GI) effects, and fever were significantly associated with surgery in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The surgical risk scores for these variables were 1, 1, 2, 1, and 2, respectively. At a ≥3-point cutoff value, the model has 71.8% sensitivity and 88.5% specificity for predicting surgery, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88. The histopathological examinations of the debrided tissues supported the diagnosis of snakebite-induced NSTI. Twelve bacterial species were isolated during the initial surgery and eleven during subsequent surgeries. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: From the clinical perspective, swelling, bullae or blister formation, GI effects, and fever appeared quickly after the bite and before surgery. The predictive value of these factors for surgery was acceptable, with a ≥3-point risk score. The common laboratory parameters did not always predict the outcomes of N. atra bites without proper wound examination. Our study supported the diagnosis of NSTI and demonstrated the changes in bacteriology during the surgeries, which can have therapeutic implications for N. atra bites.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the extremities in high and low Charlson Comorbidity Index: A multi-center retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening and acute progressive soft tissue infection and needs early surgical intervention, that is, debridement or amputation. Surgical strategy or prognosis is influenced by the speed of progression and patients' general condition, which can be calculated by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the CCI scores and prognosis of patients with NF of the upper/lower extremities. METHODS: In the retrospective cohort study, we analyzed patients with NF of the upper/lower extremities who were determined to undergo surgery by orthopedic surgeons at four tertiary hospitals between August 2003 and April 2016. We divided the patients into two groups, Group L (low CCI scores of 0-2) and Group H (high CCI scores of ≥3). The primary event of this study was defined as death or amputation. Mortality cases were included when amputation was informed with documented certification but patients died while waiting for surgery. We compared the patients' background, laboratory data on admission, the laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC) score, and primary outcome between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 56 patients, 28 patients were classified into Group L and the other 28 patients into Group H. The data in this study showed that patients in Group H had lower white blood cell counts and hemoglobin and higher creatinine than Group L, but there was no difference in LRINEC scores between the two groups. Streptococcus pyogenes was the most common infectious agent in Group L (54%) but not in Group H (11%). Poorer outcome was observed in Group H compared with Group L (4 mortality and 16 amputation vs. no mortality and 9 amputation, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory data and causative microorganisms were different between high CCI and low CCI patients with NF. High CCI scores were associated with limb amputation or death caused by NF of the upper/lower extremities; whereas, low CCI scores were more likely associated with S. pyogenes monoinfection.

Thigh Abscess Secondary to Intra-abdominal Pathologic Conditions: Three Cases Progressing to Necrotizing Fasciitis.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing fasciitis results in progressive destruction of the fascia and overlying tissue. Mortality primarily depends upon the timing of medical care and the extent of infection. OBJECTIVE: This article presents a case series of thigh abscesses originating from intra-abdominal pathologic conditions and progressing to necrotizing fasciitis due to delayed diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data concerning 3 patients with thigh abscess originating from an intra-abdominal pathologic condition and progressing to necrotizing fasciitis are presented. RESULTS: All patients had undergone previous colorectal surgery for malignancy and were admitted to the hospital with pain concentrated in the lower back and spreading down to the buttock, sacrum and coccyx, and leg. Patients had received symptomatic therapy, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and 1 patient had undergone diskectomy for a herniated disk in the lumbar region. All 3 patients subsequently developed thigh abscesses (initially treated by percutaneous and/or surgical drainage) and received antibiotic therapy. One patient underwent percutaneous drainage, and 2 patients underwent abdominal surgery to address the abdominal abscess. During the course of treatment, thigh abscesses progressed to necrotizing fasciitis, which was treated by surgical debridement with or without negative pressure wound therapy. All patients died of overwhelming sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Thigh abscess may spontaneously arise from surrounding soft tissues, or it may be a sign of intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, or pelvic pathologic conditions. Deep, vague pain in the back or hip area that spreads downward to the buttock and leg may be an early symptom of these pathologic conditions. Clinical suspicion may be effective in reducing mortality by enabling early surgical intervention, especially in the patient with a previous history of abdominal surgery, radiotherapy, or inflammatory or malignant disease.

Clinical and Financial Outcomes of Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infections in Safety-Net Hospitals.

Background Prior work has demonstrated inferior outcomes for a multitude of medical and surgical conditions at hospitals with high burdens of underinsured patients (safety-net). The present study aimed to evaluate trends in incidence, clinical outcomes and resource utilization in the surgical management of necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTI) at safety-net hospitals. Materials and methods Adults requiring surgical debridement/amputation following NSTI-related hospitalizations were identified in the 2005-2018 National Inpatient Sample. Safety-net status (SNH) was assigned to institutions in the top tertile for annual proportion of underinsured patients. Logistic multivariable regression was utilized to evaluate the association of SNH with mortality, hospitalization duration (LOS), costs and discharge disposition. Results Of an estimated 212,692 patients, 76,719 (36.1%) were managed at SNH. The annual incidence of NSTI admissions increased overall while associated mortality declined. After adjustment, SNH status was associated with greater odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratios: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03-1.26), LOS (ß: +1.8 d, 95% CI: 1.3-2.2) and costs (ß: +$4,400, 95% CI: 2,900-5,800). SNH patients had similar rates of amputation but lower likelihood of care facility or home health discharge. Conclusion With a rising incidence and overall reduction in mortality, safety-net hospitals persistently exhibit greater mortality and resource use for surgical NSTI admissions. Variation in access, disease presentation and timeliness of operative intervention may explain the observed findings.

Emergency hip disarticulations for severe necrotising fasciitis of the lower limb: a series of rare cases from a rural district general hospital.

Hip disarticulation is the removal of the entire lower limb through the hip joint by detaching the femur from the acetabulum. This major ablative procedure is rarely performed for infection but may be required in severe necrotising fasciitis. We present a single centre retrospective review of all cases of emergency hip disarticulations in patients with necrotising fasciitis between 2010 and 2020. All five patients included in the review presented with acute lower limb pain and sepsis. Three patients had comorbidities predisposing them to necrotising fasciitis. Three were deemed to be high risk and two were at intermediate risk of developing necrotising fasciitis. There were two deaths in the postoperative period. Of the three survivors, two required revision surgery for a completion hindquarter amputation and one for flap closure. All three survivors had good functional outcomes after discharge from hospital. Despite its associated morbidity, emergency amputation of the entire lower limb is a life-saving treatment in cases of rapidly progressing necrotising fasciitis and should be considered as a first-line option in managing this condition.

Periocular Necrotizing Fasciitis Causing Posterior Orbitopathy and Vision Loss: How to Manage?

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare, rapidly progressive bacterial infection. Periorbital NF may spread from the eyelid into the posterior orbit. Extent of the infection is critical in planning surgical debridement. A diabetic 70-year-old man presented with a black wound and severe pain in the left periorbital area following a mild trauma. Clinical findings were consistent with NF involving the eyelids, temporal and malar regions. In addition, he had proptosis, diffuse ophthalmoplegia, and central retinal artery occlusion, suggesting deep orbital involvement. Computed tomography showed soft tissue abnormalities in the anterior orbit. The patient was successfully treated with subcutaneous debridement, antibiotherapy, and metabolic support. Periorbital NF may be complicated with posterior orbital cellulitis-like symptoms and retinal vascular occlusions, possibly because of remote vascular thrombi induced by bacterial toxins. This clinical manifestation should be distinguished from true bacterial invasion of the posterior orbit, which may require more aggressive surgical treatments such as exenteration.

[Analysis on the diagnosis and treatment of necrotizing fasciitis complicated with sepsis].

OBJECTIVE: To recognize the characteristics of necrotizing fasciitis patients complicated with sepsis and summarize the experience the treatment. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. The clinical data of 57 patients with necrotizing fasciitis complicated with sepsis admitted to Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from July 2009 to December 2019 was analyzed by collecting such factors as gender, age, complications, infection sites, pathogens, surgery information, treatment options and outcome. The patients were divided into debridement group (n = 14) and control group (n = 43) according to whether the debridement was completed within 48 hours of admission, and the mortality during hospitalization between the two groups was compared. A telephone follow-up had been done to record the long-term outcome of these patients. RESULTS: Among 57 patients with necrotizing fasciitis complicated with sepsis, there were 43 males and 14 females with the average age of (57.9±12.1) years old. Most of the underlying diseases were diabetes mellitus (70.17%), other diseases included hypertension (8.77%), tumor chemotherapy (7.02%), liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, 7.02%), coronary artery heart disease (3.51%), systemic lupus erythematosus (3.51%), etc. Most of the infection site was lower limbs (71.93%). There were 78 pathogens cultured in 57 patients, in which 52 were non-drug resistant bacteria (66.67%), and 26 were drug resistant bacteria (33.33%). There were 40 Gram positive (G+) bacteria (51.28%), 29 Gram negative (G-) bacteria (37.18%), 8 fungi (10.26%) and 1 mixed bacteria (1.28%). Finally, of 57 patients, 46 patients were cured, and 11 patients died with hospital mortality of 19.30%. Among 57 patients, the hospital mortality in the debridement group was significantly lower than that in the control group [0% (0/14) vs. 25.58% (11/43), P < 0.05]. Among the 46 cured patients, 11 had accepted amputations, accounting for 23.91%. In December 2020, 43 patients who were cured (3 patients were lost to follow-up) were followed up by telephone. Twenty-three patients were completely self-care, 9 patients were partly self-care, 8 patients were completely unable to take care of themselves, and 3 patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Necrotizing fasciitis with sepsis mostly occurs in people with weakened immunity, and has a high mortality and disability rate. Early identification and active surgical debridement may be the key to improve the treatment effect.

Resolution of organ dysfunction as a predictor of long-term survival in necrotizing soft tissue infections: Analysis of the AB103 Clinical Composite Endpoint Study in Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections trial and a retrospective claims database-linked chart study.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are an acute surgical condition with high morbidity and mortality. Timely identification, resuscitation, and aggressive surgical management have significantly decreased inpatient mortality. However, reduced inpatient mortality has shifted the burden of disease to long-term mortality associated with persistent organ dysfunction. METHODS: We performed a combined analysis of NSTI patients from the AB103 Clinical Composite Endpoint Study in Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections randomized-controlled interventional trial (ATB-202) and comprehensive administrative database (ATB-204) to determine the association of persistent organ dysfunction on inpatient and long-term outcomes. Persistent organ dysfunction was defined as a modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (mSOFA) score of 2 or greater at Day 14 (D14) after NSTI diagnosis, and resolution of organ dysfunction defined as mSOFA score of 1 or less. RESULTS: The analysis included 506 hospitalized NSTI patients requiring surgical debridement, including 247 from ATB-202, and 259 from ATB-204. In both study cohorts, age and comorbidity burden were higher in the D14 mSOFA ≥2 group. Patients with D14 mSOFA score of 1 or less had significantly lower 90-day mortality than those with mSOFA score of 2 or higher in both ATB-202 (2.4% vs. 21.5%; p < 0.001) and ATB-204 (6% vs. 16%: p = 0.008) studies. In addition, in an adjusted covariate analysis of the combined study data sets D14 mSOFA score of 1 or lesss was an independent predictor of lower 90-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.53; p = 0.001). In both studies, D14 mSOFA score of 1 or less was associated with more favorable discharge status and decreased resource utilization. CONCLUSION: For patients with NSTI undergoing surgical management, persistent organ dysfunction at 14 days, strongly predicts higher resource utilization, poor discharge disposition, and higher long-term mortality. Promoting the resolution of acute organ dysfunction after NSTI should be considered as a target for investigational therapies to improve long-term outcomes after NSTI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/epidemiology study, level III.

Necrotizing Fasciitis Shock Syndrome by Group A Hemolytic Streptococcus: Report of 6 Cases and Clinical Management.

BACKGROUND: To explore the comprehensive treatment of group A streptococcus haemolyticus complicated with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) in surgery. METHODS: Six patients with Type II necrotizing fasciitis complicated with STSS were enrolled from September 2018 to October 2019 in the Burn Department at Quanzhou First Hospital. The patients were treated with early incision and reduction of tension, anti-shock, anti-infection, primary debridement and vacuum suction, maintenance of organ function, and adjustment of internal environment, secondary autologous skin graft, and early rehabilitation. RESULTS: Five patients were healed, while one elderly patient refused treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We should be alert to necrotizing fasciitis caused by group A hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) infection and effectively avoid the occurrence of STSS. By making an incision to reduce tension, adopting the principle of anti-infection, and actively anti-shock, maintaining the function of internal organs and the stability of internal environment, debridement and vacuum suction in early and effective stage, followed by selfskin graft to seal the wound and early rehabilitation the treatment of Type II NF and STSS can be effectively improved.