Facial necrotising fasciitis following rhytidectomy

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2019 Sep;57(7):685-687. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2019.05.016. Epub 2019 Jun 13.

Abstract

Rhytidectomy is the most common surgical procedure used to rejuvenate the appearance of the aging face and neck. Necrotising fasciitis is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening, bacterial infection of the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, and the fascia. We report a case of necrotising fasciitis of the face caused by a group A streptococcal infection after rhytidectomy on a healthy female patient. An abscess on her hand that had been caused by an infection related to a venous catheter had provided a potential entry for the pathogen, and treatment combined both surgical debridement and antibiotics. The operation had resulted in large tissue losses around the ears, which we treated by healing by second intention.

Keywords: aesthetic surgery; complication; necrotizing fasciitis; rhytidectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Debridement / methods*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / diagnosis*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / microbiology
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Rhytidoplasty / adverse effects*
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents