Cervical necrotizing fasciitis resulting in acupuncture and herbal injection for submental lipoplasty

Acupuncture is used for some conditions as an alternative to medication or surgical intervention. Several complications had been reported, and they are generally due to physical injury by the needle or transmission of diseases. Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon infection, but potentially lethal, especially when associated with systemic disorders such as diabetes. The authors report a case of serious cervical necrotizing fasciitis that developed after acupuncture and herbal injection treatment of fat accumulation of the submental area in a 32-year-old healthy woman. She presented with discharging wound over the submental area. The initial diagnosis was based on clinical information, in which localized necrosis areas in the cervical and chin regions were observed. Wide antibiotic therapy was applied, followed by surgical drainage, debridement, and negative pressure wound therapy. Culture was positive for Serratia liquefaciens and Staphylococcus intermedius. She made a good recovery.