Edward J Wladis1. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Lions Eye Institute, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, U.S.A.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe a modified wound closure technique in cases of necrotizing fasciitis and to describe its efficacy and usefulness. METHODS: The clinical characteristics of patients that underwent extensive debridement and modified wound closure were recorded and documented. RESULTS: Seven patients (5 males, 2 females; mean age = 40.9 years, standard deviation = 25.3 years) underwent debridement and modified wound closure. At discharge from the hospital, 6 patients (84.7%) achieved vision of 20/25 of better, although 1 patient lost all vision in the affected eye. Six patients (84.7%) experienced improvement in their visual acuity between admission to and discharge from the hospital. After a mean follow-up interval of 6.3 months, 5 patients (71.4%) did not require additional reconstructive interventions. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of periorbital necrotizing fasciitis, extensive debridement with a modified wound closure is a technically feasible intervention and produced excellent clinical, functional, and aesthetic results.
PURPOSE: To describe a modified wound closure technique in cases of necrotizing fasciitis and to describe its efficacy and usefulness. METHODS: The clinical characteristics of patients that underwent extensive debridement and modified wound closure were recorded and documented. RESULTS: Seven patients (5 males, 2 females; mean age = 40.9 years, standard deviation = 25.3 years) underwent debridement and modified wound closure. At discharge from the hospital, 6 patients (84.7%) achieved vision of 20/25 of better, although 1 patient lost all vision in the affected eye. Six patients (84.7%) experienced improvement in their visual acuity between admission to and discharge from the hospital. After a mean follow-up interval of 6.3 months, 5 patients (71.4%) did not require additional reconstructive interventions. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of periorbital necrotizing fasciitis, extensive debridement with a modified wound closure is a technically feasible intervention and produced excellent clinical, functional, and aesthetic results.