Necrotizing fasciitis: early recognition and aggressive treatment remain important.

Necrotizing fasciitis is an infection caused by aerobic or anaerobic microorganisms that rapidly spread along the fascial plane, causing necrosis of the fascia, overlying skin, and vasculature. Septicemia and systemic toxic effects may lead to death within as short a time as 24 to 96 hours. Successful treatment, comprising radical surgical debridement, relies on early recognition. Despite the importance of early recognition, however, a review of nursing literature during the last 10 years revealed only one article dealing specifically with this condition. The purpose of this article is to review the causes and treatment of cellulitis complicated by necrotizing fasciitis.