Abstract:ObjectiveTo discuss the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) in order to improve the awareness of surgeons to CNF.MethodsClinical data of 16 patients suffering from CNF treated in our hospital from Jan 2011 to Dec 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Emergency operation was performed to all patients. Of them, 10 underwent tracheotomy, 10 received surgical debridement for one time and 6 for more than two times respectively.ResultsAll the patients were cured with surgical treatment and medical therapy. 3 patients with concurrent diabetes mellitus developed into descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM), and got healed by combination of surgical debridement and thoracoscopic surgery. The decannulation rate was 100% without any complications. The mean hospitalization time was 32 days. After discharge, all patients had been followed up for 3 months, and recurrence occurred in none.ConclusionCNF is a kind of rapidly progressive soft tissue infection with high mortality. Early diagnosis, radical surgical debridement, combined application of sensitive antibiotics and supportive therapy are key determinants for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
