Necrotizing fasciitis: an uncommon consequence of pressure ulceration

Pressure ulcers may occur in patients with chronic illnesses, especially in those who are bed-bound or chair-bound. Local measures usually suffice to allow primary ulcer healing and support skin grafting or tissue transfer reconstruction. On rare occasions, however, pressure ulcers may progress to invasive infection and necrosis of adjacent soft tissues, possibly leading to necrotizing fasciitis. Early recognition and aggressive medical and surgical therapy are required to halt disease progression and prevent patient mortality. Two cases are presented to describe the severity of this soft-tissue infection.