[Acute necrotizing fasciitis complicated with multiple organ dysfunction: one case report]

The treatment of acute necrotizing fasciitis consists of early and aggressive incision and drainage, together with effective antibiotics and active organ support. On January 4th, 2018, a 50-year-old man admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Peking University Third Hospital was diagnosed with acute necrotizing fasciitis in the right lower extremity caused by group A Streptococcal infection complicated with multiple organ dysfunction. The disease progressed rapidly. The lesion rapidly spread from the right calf to the entire right lower limb and was associated with septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction within a few hours after admission. The treatment included surgical debridement and amputation of his right lower extremity, multiple antimicrobials combination therapy, gamma globulin-assisted anti-infection, anti-shock, bedside continuous hemofiltration and other comprehensive treatment. The patient was successfully cured. The key to successful treatment of this patient is that when the acute necrotizing fasciitis progresses rapidly, amputation should be done to debride the infected lesions, together with early empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics combination therapy and active organ function support treatment.