“EXPERIENCE OF TREATING NECROTIZING FASCIITIS, ORGANISMS INVOLVED AND LIMB SALVAGEABILITY: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY”

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the experience of treating patients with “necrotizing fasciitis (NF)” at a tertiary care institute in terms of limb salvageability and organisms involved.

Study Design: Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Surgery, PEMH, Rawalpindi, from September 2023 to February 2024.

Patients & Methods: A total of 94 patients diagnosed with “necrotizing fasciitis (NF)” of the extremities were included. Surgical data were analyzed to identify the organisms causing NF and the limb outcomes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0.

Results: The mean age was 45.56 ± 6.54 years. There were 56 (57.14%) males and 42 (42.86%) females. Thirty-four (34.69%) patients were diabetic, and 50 (51.02%) were smokers. The most common organism isolated was Group A Streptococcus in 44 (44.90%) patients. Limb salvage was achieved in 74 (75.51%) patients, while 24 (24.49%) required amputation.

Conclusion: In this prospective study, the most common causative organism of “necrotizing fasciitis (NF)” was Group A Streptococcus, and the incidence of limb salvage was 75.51%.