Necrotizing Fasciitis in a Healthy Young Runner requiring acute Hyperbaric Oxygen and Therapy

Research Objectives: To inform the audience of the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy for progressive necrotizing fasciitis

Design: This is a case study involving a young high school cross country/distance runner who suffered a laceration in a local stream, requiring sutures at a local hospital.

Setting: The day after the suture placement, runner noticed increased pain and erythema returning to the hospital where necrotizing fasciitis was found. Antibiotics and multiple surgical debridement was undertaken with no evidence of having arrested the progression of the bacteria. The rehabilitation service add a nearby hospital was consulted and the patient acutely transferred for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, antibiotics combined with intense therapy. The introduction of hyperbaric oxygen quickly arrested the progression of the Organism and saved the function of the patient's leg.

Participants: This case study focuses on one patient who required an urgent transfer from a nearby acute care facility that did not have HBO capacity

Interventions: The introduction of hyperbaric oxygen quickly arrested the progression of the Organism and saved the function of the patient's leg. Physical and Occupational therapy continued into outpatient.

Main Outcome Measures: The destructive organism was stopped with the HBO. The therapy team assisted with functional mobility and the patient was able to accept a position as an English teacher and track coach at a prestigious local high school

Results: This case illustrates the rapidly destructive nature of necrotizing fasciitis and the utility of the rehabilitation team run wound clinic which provided HBO to stop the destruction of the organism and of the therapists to begin the therapeutic recovery from this multisystem trauma.

Conclusions: HBO is a valuable tool in addressing necrotizing fasciitis, though the recovery after the infection is eliminated requires long and intense rehabilitation therapy.

Author(s) Disclosures: None