Destructive Xylazine Wounds: A New Entity Faced by Thoracic Surgeons
Louis F Chai1, Whitney M Burrows1, Joseph S Friedberg1
1Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Annals of Thoracic Surgery Short Reports
|October 30, 2025
Summary
Xylazine use is linked to rising drug deaths and severe skin wounds. This report highlights three cases of destructive lesions, emphasizing the need for medical provider awareness and multidisciplinary care.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary medicine
- Toxicology
- Public health
Background:
- Xylazine is an illicit drug associated with increased mortality and severe necrotic skin lesions.
- Destructive lesions, particularly from neck and chest injections, pose challenges for medical professionals, including thoracic surgeons.
- Philadelphia has emerged as a significant center for xylazine use.
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