Treatment of necrotizing fasciitis of the extremities using silver zinc sulfadiazine cream.

ABSTRACT

Necrotizing fasciitis is not uncommon at the present time, mostly occurring in patients with minor extremity injury as the common predisposing factors. Aetiological agents in our 35 reported cases were usually β haemolytic streptococcus, although many infections were the mixed type and associated with gram negative bacillus or gram positive coccus. All were treated by wide surgical opening of the lesion and extensive surgical debridement. The large doses of penicillin were parenterally given along with aminoglycosides to all patients. Local wound treatment was daily applied with silver zine sulfadiazine which appeared to be the most suitable topical agent because not only arresting the infective process but also stimulating the new granulation tissue. Wound closure in all 35 patients were achieved within the appropriate time, averaging 2 weeks. No most important factor in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis is the early diagnosis and early adequate surgical debridement.