SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF EXTENSIVE SKIN NECROSIS SECONDARY TO PURPURA FULMINANS IN A PATIENT WITH MENINGOCOCCAL SEPSIS

Meningococcal sepsis is associated with a high mortality rate. These p atients may show severe disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) a nd skin necrosis. There is very little published experience regarding the surgical treatment of this complication. The similarity between sk in necrosis secondary to DIC and full thickness cutaneouos burns provi des the rationale for its treatment as if it was a deep burn. We repor t the surgical treatment of extensive skin necrosis in a patient with meningococcal sepsis and DIC. This treatment is similar to that used i n full thickness burns, including excision of necrotic tissue and cove rage with autografts, as well as amputation of extremities if distal c overage is not possible. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd for ISBI. All r ights reserved.