ANAEROBIC SOFT-TISSUE INFECTIONS

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.