Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Early surgery and negative pressure therapy for necrotizing fasciitis
By Mastrocco, Alicia & Prittie, Jennifer·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2021·Emergency and Critical Care, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Early and aggressive surgical debridement and negative pressure wound therapy to treat necrotizing fasciitis in three dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs were treated for necrotizing fasciitis, a serious skin infection that causes severe pain, fever, and red, swollen areas around wounds. Each dog underwent surgery to remove the infected tissue within six hours of showing symptoms, and they received supportive care and antibiotics for several weeks afterward. The dogs required multiple surgeries, but they all healed well and were discharged from the hospital. The combination of early surgery and negative pressure wound therapy helped them recover successfully.
People also search for: dog necrotizing fasciitis treatment · dog wound care after surgery · symptoms of skin infection in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the management and outcomes of dogs with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) treated with early, aggressive surgical debridement and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). STUDY DESIGN: Short case series. ANIMALS: Three dogs surgically treated for NF. METHODS: Clinical signs in the three dogs included an identified wound, severe pain, fever, and progressive erythema. A tentative diagnosis of NF was based on the presence of suppurative inflammation and intracellular bacteria seen in fine needle aspirates and clinical progression in each case. Each dog was treated with surgical debridement within 6 hours of clinical suspicion for NF. Necrosis affected multiple tissue layers was noted surgical exploration. Systemic supportive care and antibiotherapy were also provided for 3 to 4 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Three surgical debridements were required in two dogs, and four surgical debridements were required in one dog. All of the surgical sites were managed with NPWT until final primary closure was possible at 4, 5, and 6 days after initial surgery. Results of histopathology and culture of the surgical sites were consistent with NF as described in each case. All dogs survived to discharge and long-term follow up. CONCLUSION: Management with early surgery, multiple debridements, and the use of NPWT led to resolution of NF in three dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33724500/