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Association between procalcitonin and mortality in patients with necrotizing fasciitis: A single-center retrospective
Alperen S Bingoel1,2, Khaled Dastagir2, Nele Schmitt2
1Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Trauma, Orthopedic and Plastic Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
Background:
Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening soft tissue infection. Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a promising biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis in severe infections.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective analysis of 62 patients with confirmed NF treated at a high-volume Department of Plastic Surgery between January 2005 and May 2024. Clinical parameters, laboratory values, and surgical outcomes were evaluated. Patients were stratified into survivors and non-survivors.
Results:
Elevated PCT levels at admission were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (p = 0.0329), whereas other parameters showed no statistical significance. Skin grafting was the most common reconstructive procedure. No significant association was found between the type of reconstructive surgery and survival.
Conclusion:
Serum PCT levels at admission may serve as a valuable prognostic marker in NF. Once infection control is achieved, reconstructive surgical interventions appear to be safe and do not influence survival.
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