  |
| |
| |
| |
 |
| |
John Barker, Ingo Marzi |
| |
|
| |
|
 |
| |
Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare yet life-threatening bacterial infection of the deep layers of skin and subcutaneous tissues that destroys muscles, skin, and underlying tissue and can spread systemically causing sepsis, shock, and death. Even when treated aggressively with powerful antibiotic therapy, the death rate is high. If patients survive scarring, disfigurement and functional loss are common.
In this FOCUS ON section, we dedicate two articles to the latest surgical approaches for managing this complex and critical condition. In their articles, the authors discuss the surgical treatment of necrotizing faciitis in the perineum and abdominal wall (also referred to as Fournier’s gangrene) and in the upper and lower extremities (causing compartment syndrome) [1, 2]. They take the reader through the multiple and aggressive debridement required to arrest the spread of infection and remove the necrotic tissue and many subsequent reconstructive techniques used to prevent or minimize long-term deformities and loss of function. In a further article, the procedures and options for reconstructing soft tissue defects of the lower leg and the foot are nicely elucidated [3].
We hope that in these pages the extensive experience of the contributing authors exposes the reader to the state-of-the-art techniques and treatment rationale used to provide patients inflicted by this devestation condition with the best possible outcomes.
John Barker, Section Editor
Ingo Marzi, Editor
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
