Necrotizing fasciitis in southeast Taiwan: clinical features, microbiology, and prognosis

To determine the spectrum of microorganisms, clinical features, and risk factors of necrotizing fasciitis in southeast Taiwan.

We retrospectively studied patients diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and fully treated in our hospital for the period January 1995 to December 2006.

The mean age of the patients was 58.2+/-14.2 years. The affected anatomical sites were primarily peripheral (91 patients, 85.8%). Sixty patients (56.6%) had a type 1 infection, 17 patients (16.0%) had type 2, and eight patients (7.5%) had type 3. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity. A single pathogen was identified as the infectious agent in 64 patients (60.4%), multiple pathogens were identified in 21 patients (19.8%), and no organism was identified in 21 patients (19.8%). Streptococcus pyogenes was the most common pathogen. The average hospital stay was 28.0+/-23.1 days. Patients received a mean of 2.3+/-1.2 debridements, and five patients (4.7%) eventually underwent an amputation. The overall mortality was 17.0%. Predictors of mortality included advanced age, class C liver cirrhosis, ascites, higher serum creatinine, and lower hemoglobin and platelet levels.

Monobacterial infections are more common in our patients. Accurate early diagnosis and extensive surgical debridement are essential for a favorable outcome.