Cervical necrotizing fasciitis by dental abscess treated with negative pressure wound therapy: Case report

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe soft tissue infection very uncommon in head and neck. This infection could be very aggressive involving subcutaneous tissue and fascial planes and can be rapidly fatal. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has emerge recently and became very popular in treating complicated wounds. A case of necrotizing fasciitis in cervical region from an odontogenic infection is presented. After surgical debridement, a NPWT device was installed. NPWT provides advantages compared to conventional debridement and drainage. This method is recommended as an alternative in treating necrotizing fasciitis in head and neck, because it eradicates infection and provides comfort to the patient.