Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF) is a severe soft tissue infection characterized by rapidly progressing necrosis, involving skin, fascia, fat and subcutaneous tissue. NF can develop at head and neck region. This rare condition requires prompt diagnosis, emergency treatment, and precise wound dressing selection. The objective of this study is to describe early management and wound dressing selection in cervical NF case. A 48-years-old female came with swelling and spontaneous drainage at both side of lower jaw, chin, and neck region. Patient was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis at cervical region. Aggressive necrotomy debridement was done to manage infection. Wound was treated by modern dressing without requiring skin graft procedure. Patient did not have any complain and fully satisfied with the treatment result. Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening, single or polymicrobial infection of soft tissue. This disease rarely involves the head and neck region; if it occurs, it is usually due to the spread of infection from the teeth or pharynx. Satisfying outcomes can be achieved with early diagnosis, aggressive surgical, empirical antimicrobial therapy, and post operative management with an appropriate dressing. There are many kinds of wound dressing available that challenges operator to choose an appropriate one to treat NF. A correct dressing can decreases healing time, provides cost-effective care, and improves patient quality of life. In conclusion, early management and appropriate wound dressing selection are very important to improve the clinical outcome and decrease patients long term morbidity.
Key words: necrotizing fasciitis, cervical, early management, wound dressing
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