Necrotizing fasciitis is a soft-tissue infection with a high risk of fatality. Infection with Vibrio vulnificus can lead to development of necrotizing fasciitis and primary septicemia, and occurs mostly in immunocompromised host-associated diseases such as hepatic disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal insufficiency, and adrenal insufficiency. Early recognition and treatment of the infection, which are unclear, are vital to patient welfare. We studied the disease epidemiology and reviewed the prognosis and clinical features of patients treated using our developed protocol. Clinical manifestations and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed for 67 patients with V. vulnificus-mediated necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis. All patients who had contacted seawater or raw seafood with positive culture for vibrio were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the timing of first fasciotomy and injury; within 24 h (group A) and beyond 24 h (group B). Twenty-three of the 67 patients (40%) had hepatic disease, 17 (25.4%) had chronic renal insufficiency, and 12 (17.9%) exhibited adrenal insufficiency. The most common site of infection was the upper extremity (74.7%). Group B presented with more clinical symptoms including fever (p = 0.02), hemorrhagic bullae (p < 0.0001), and shock (p = 0.007). Group A patients exhibited enhanced survival compared to group B (in hospital mortality: 4.9% vs. 23%; p = 0.005). We conclude that early and appropriate diagnosis for V. vulnificus infection should be made, especially in patients presenting with atypical clinical findings. Early fasciotomy within 24 h remains the highest priority and decreases the mortality rate.

Therapeutic, III.

Sensory recovery following digital replantation plays an important role in the restoration of hand function. Twelve patients with twenty-four replanted or revascularized digits were randomly selected to enter a program of sensory reeducation, and another 15 patients with 22 replanted or revascularized digits were selected as controls who did not receive sensory reeducation. A moving two-point discrimination and a Semmes-Weinstein pressure threshold test were evaluated for monitoring the sensory recovery. The period of sensory reeducation was 18.83 weeks on average, and the mean follow-up time was 11.94 months. The group that received sensory reeducation significantly improved to a better degree of moving two-point discrimination and Semmes-Weinstein threshold level by both univariate and multiple regression analysis. We suggest that sensory reeducation should be an integral part of the postoperative rehabilitation protocol following digital replantation and revascularization.