Necrotizing fasciitis in oro-maxillo-facial area after radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate.

The fascia's and subcutaneous adipose tissue's impairment by mono or polymicrobial infection, which also can involve the skin and the muscles, is rarely seen in oro-maxillo-facial area. The present case report is presenting a case of necrotizing fasciitis in a patient who had a history of an invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate, with surgical treatment and with radiotherapy. He was admitted in our Clinic with malaise and subsequently developed a toxico-septic shock. Clinical symptoms, serological and bacteriological analysis and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis (NF). The patient subsequently underwent a series of surgical reconstruction and aesthetic treatments because of the complications that had arised in the meantime. Postoperative evolution was favorable towards complete closure of the defect. The prognosis of this disease is generally reserved, the favorable evolution depending on the possibility of wound sterilization and the surgery is required despite its mutilating effect.