Necrotizing Fasciitis

[TigerGalLE]

I have a pt that I am taking care of on my floor that has just been diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. He had abd surgery and it became infected, has now been debrided and his abd wound is huge, deep, and terrible looking. Has anyone every had a pt with necrotizing fasciitis in their wound that has survived? His dressing changes are almost scary they are so deep... well they are scary. I'm packing his abd so deep with NS soaked gauze. The smell and the drainage are enough to put me over the edge.... I'm just wondering if this pt actually has a change to live... His has other comorbitities as well....

Tiger

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

It all depends how quickly it was caught and treated and how much damage was done. I'd say about 1/2 the patients I've personally seen have survived.