Necrotizing fasciitis of the face: the flesh-eating catastrophic malady

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare, rapidly progressing, life-threatening infection involving the superficial fat, fascial layers with necrosis of skin. It is usually seen in the extremities, abdominal wall, and perineum and predominantly seen in elderly and immunocompromised patients. NF of the face and cervical area is usually very rare and if it occurs it is characterized by its fulminating, devastating and rapidly progressive course. Untreated facial NF may lead to complications such as airway obstruction, vascular thrombosis, mediastinitis, pleural empyema, large vessel thrombosis and septic shock. Management of NF requires a prompt and accurate diagnosis, emergency airway management, aggressive surgical debridement, intravenous antibiotics and nutritional support. We have described a rare case of necrotizing fasciitis of the face which has high morbidity and mortality rates, posing challenging reconstructive problems and a brief review of literature.