Postoperative necrotising fasciitis of the lower limb as an unexpected complication of vascular surgery procedure: Case report

Abstract

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare and severe disease, acute infection, often life-threatening, characterised by rapid and progressive spread through the subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia. It can occur on any part of the body, mostly affecting the perineum, limbs and abdominal wall. A 76-year-old male patient with the development of lower limb necrotising fasciitis after a vascular procedure femoral-popliteal bypass, performed due to chronic ischaemia is presented. Patient previously had several different vascular procedures on other blood vessels, with diabetes and cardiovascular disease as leading comorbidities. Treatment included urgent surgical necrotomy, with all measures of conservative treatment. During the treatment, there was no need for a new vascular procedure, arterial flow was preserved. It is necessary to constantly remind surgeons about this rare but life-threatening disease so that they can recognise it in time and adequately treat it.

Necrotizing soft tissue infections: An unpredictible, life-threatening infections

“…Additionally, tissue swelling, odor, skin necrosis, erythema, crepitations, and bullous changes can occur. Visible changes on the skin are smaller than an infection of the tissues beneath the skin, so it is vital to recognize NSTIs before the present changes on the skin affect a larger area (2,8,9,10). The presence of comorbidities can significantly complicate the clinical picture and make treatment more difficult.…”

“…Literature data indicate that up to 10 surgical debridements are conducted during treatment, with an average of 2.5. The necessity of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of these infections has not been definitively proven (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”