Limb salvage in a diabetic with necrotizing fasciitis: case report and literature review

Necrotizing fasciitis must be considered in a diabetic with cutaneous ulceration. A case report of limb salvage in a 48-year-old diabetic female with progressive necrotizing fasciitis is presented. Methods of early diagnosis including clinical signs, radiographs, and soft tissue biopsy of the involved extremity are reviewed. The microbiology of the disease is also discussed. A modification of the Orr technique using infrequent dressing changes in the management of necrotizing fasciitis is presented. In our case this resulted in preservation of life and a functional limb.