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
Abstract
None:
Xylazine has caused increasing drug-related mortality and necrotic wounds. Neck and chest injections have caused destructive lesions that have engaged thoracic surgeons. We present 3 cases from Philadelphia, the epicenter of xylazine use, and discuss the multidisciplinary care effort. Providers should be aware of the symptoms of xylazine use to appropriately treat patients.
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