Fatal perineal cellulitis from an episiotomy site.

Perineal cellulitis originating from an episiotomy incision resulted in 20% of the maternal mortality in King County, Washington, between 1969 and 1977. Necrotizing fasciitis was present in 2 of the cases, and clostridial myonecrosis was present in 1. These fatalities occurred because the practitioners were not aware that necrotizing fasciitis can occur in the fatty superficial fascia of the perineum and that resection of the necrotic tissue is necessary for successful therapy.