NECROTIZING FASCIITIS AS A COMPLICATION OF PERCUTANEOUS CATHETER DRAINAGE OF AN INTRAABDOMINAL ABSCESS

Computerized tomography or ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage has replaced surgery as the preferred method of treatment for intra-abdom inal abscesses and is generally regarded as safe. The authors, however , report a case of necrotizing fasciitis complicating percutaneous dra inage of a postoperative intra-abdominal abscess. This potentially fat al complication illustrates that successful percutaneous drainage of a n abscess does not eliminate the need to closely monitor the patient's subsequent clinical course. Successful treatment of necrotizing fasci itis depends on early recognition, radical debridement, aggressive flu id resuscitation, and diligent postoperative wound care.