In a trauma hospital 5 patients with necrotizing fasciitis were observed during the last 7 years. The causative agent was streptococci B in 1 patient, streptococci A in 3 patients, and staphylococci in 1 patient. Three patients developed a toxic shock syndrome, which was fatal in 2. One patient was treated for a gout arthritis with intramuscular injection of NSAID, 2 patients were treated for fractures, and 2 for soft tissue injuries. Potential risk factors for a necrotizing soft tissue inflammation was a metabolic syndrome plus chronic nasopharyngeal infections in 1 patient, obesity in 1, and an occult myeloic leukemia in 1 patient. The problem of necrotizing fasciitis in trauma patients is not new, but own observations and the literature suggest an increasing frequency of this disease over the last decade. Necrotizing fasciitis can be encountered unexpectedly in any given situation, early diagnosis which can be very difficult is the clue to successful treatment.

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The result in one patient was found to be excellent 5 years after the accident and was good in one other patient 13 years following trauma. The third patient showed a good result 1.5 years after the accident.