Necrotizing soft tissue infections of the head and neck: case reports and literature review.

A small but nevertheless important part of a surgeon's experience comprises necrotizing soft tissue infections of the head and neck. The purpose of this report is to heighten awareness of necrotizing soft tissue infections in any patient with an infection of the head and neck. The article also outlines an appropriate management strategy for use in the treatment of patients with this potentially fatal condition. Prompt diagnosis and early radical surgical debridement are significant factors in avoiding a fatal outcome in these patients. This article reviews the literature on necrotizing soft tissue infections of the head and neck and presents cases from our recent experience.