Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Thigh and Calf: A Reminder to Exclude a Perforated Intra-Abdominal Viscus: A Case Report.

CASE: Diverticular disease and its associated complications are an increasing problem among Western populations. Perforated diverticulitis results in intra-abdominal sepsis, which rarely causes a life-threatening necrotizing soft-tissue infection. We present the case of a 70-year-old man with a sigmoid diverticulitis perforation presenting as necrotizing fasciitis of the thigh and calf requiring serial debridement and major limb reconstruction.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be aware of index presentations of diverticulitis and its recognized complications in this demographic group. For the orthopaedic and the general surgeon, knowledge of the dangers of the concomitant presence of these 2 conditions will substantially reduce morbidity and mortality.