Aggressive management of necrotizing fasciitis through a multidisciplinary approach using minimal surgical...

Necrotizing fasciitis is an aggressive, destructive infection of the soft tissue and fascia and is a life-threatening surgical emergency. A case study is presented of necrotizing fasciitis in the right lower extremity of a 53-year-old male resident of a long-term skilled nursing facility. Limb salvage was achieved through a multidisciplinary approach with early surgical management and aggressive postoperative management. Through 3 surgical procedures, the combined efforts of podiatric surgery, orthopaedic surgery, general/trauma surgery, and infectious disease provided early wound closure and limb salvage. An aggressive multidisciplinary approach to the management of necrotizing fasciitis in the lower extremity is necessary for limb salvage. Use of this multidisciplinary approach will minimize the number of surgical procedures and decrease the potential morbidity and mortality seen in patients with this infection.