Surgical Management of Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Head and Neck

Pankti P Acharya; Jason E Cohn; Tom Shokri; Paige Bundrick; Yadranko Ducic

doi:10.1097/SCS.0000000000008787

Surgical Management of Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Head and Neck

J Craniofac Surg. 2022 Nov-Dec;33(8):e858-e861. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000008787. Epub 2022 Aug 23.

Authors

Pankti P Acharya¹, Jason E Cohn², Tom Shokri³, Paige Bundrick², Yadranko Ducic³

Affiliations

¹ Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ.
² Division of Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Louisiana State Health Science Center, Shreveport, LA.
³ Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, Fort Worth, TX.

PMID: 35996221
DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000008787

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to highlight risk factors and surgeries for necrotizing fasciitis (NF) of the head and neck in the literature. NF is rare but can rapidly progress.

Materials and methods: A literature search was done using PubMed and SCOPUS. Articles that discussed NF of the head and neck and a specific surgical technique were included. A bivariate Pearson correlation was conducted using an α level of 0.05.

Results: The study included 31 articles encompassing 77 patients who presented with head and neck NF. Diabetes mellitus (23.4%) was the most common comorbidity observed. Surgical techniques, such as debridement (96.10%) and incision/exploration (97.40%), were common.

Conclusion: Immediate surgical intervention should be performed when treating patients presenting with NF of the head and neck.

MeSH terms

Debridement / adverse effects
Diabetes Mellitus*
Fasciitis, Necrotizing* / therapy
Head
Humans
Neck / surgery
Risk Factors