Anaerobic soft tissue infections are still life threatening infections
. Although their frequency is actually moderate, they remain severe be
cause physicians are often insufficiently aware of them. Although the
classification between myonecrosis and necrotizing fasciitis is still
valid, these infections share so many points in common that they can b
e considered together. Their origin is often traumatic or surgical but
may also be secondary to an ulcer or a small wound in a high-risk pat
ient: arteriosclerotic, diabetic. Hypoxia, traumatic muscle crush, hea
vy bacterial contamination as well as incorrect antibiotic prophylaxis
are the major reasons for their occurrence. Management consists of an
tibiotics adapted to both anaerobic and associated aerobic bacteria, l
arge and early surgical debridement, but with conservative excision, a
nd intensive hyperbaric oxygentherapy. Strict prevention measures must
be applied to avoid their occurrence.