Cervical necrotizing fasciitis: descriptive, retrospective analysis of 59 cases treated at a single center

To provide retrospective, descriptive information on patients with cervical necrotizing fasciitis treated at a single center during the years 1998-2014, and to evaluate the outcome of a newly introduced treatment strategy. Retrospective analysis of clinical data obtained from medical records. Mortality, pre-morbidity, severity of illness, primary site of infection, type of bacteria, time parameters. The observed 3-month mortality was 6/59 (10 %). The most common initial foci of the infection were pharyngeal, dental or hypopharyngeal. The most common pathogen was Streptococcus milleri bacteria within the Streptococcus anginosus group (66 % of the cases). Using a combined treatment with early surgical debridement combined with hyperbaric oxygen treatment, it is possible to reduce the mortality rate among patients suffering from cervical necrotizing fasciitis, compared to the expected mortality rate and to previous historical reports. Data indicated that early onset of hyperbaric oxygen treatment may have a positive impact on survival rate, but no identifiable factor was found to prognosticate outcome.