Amputation in Necrotizing Fasciitis - Dilemma or Reality: A Case Report and Literature Review

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is known to be a life-threatening condition of the subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia with rapid progression.

This case report will present a relevant case and summarize the literature to discuss the dilemma of amputation in patients with NF. We present the case of a 32-year-old male with a longstanding history of intravenous drug abuse, who developed NF from a benign cellulitis after injection drug use in his right groin region, for which he underwent surgical debridement followed by above-the-knee amputation because of septic shock. He was discharged after 6 months from admission with all blood biochemical parameters recovered to normal.

Prompt intravenous antibiotics administration, surgical debridement, fluid and electrolytes management, and analgesia are the pillars of the treatment, while amputation seems to be a life-saving procedure.