Necrotizing fasciitis after cosmetic blepharoplasty

PURPOSE: To report a case of necrotizing fasciitis after cosmetic blepharop lasty. METHOD: Case report. A 74-year-old woman with history of type II diabetes m ellitus underwent bilateral upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Postoperatively sh e developed fever, grayish discoloration of the skin, violaceous bullae, an d a right facial nerve palsy. Necrotizing fasciitis was diagnosed and treat ed with intravenous antibiotics, debridement of necrotic tissue, and hyperb aric oxygen therapy. RESULTS: The infection resolved, bur the patient required reconstruction fo r correction of cicatricial ectropion. CONCLUSION: Necrotizing fasciitis is a potentially fatal infection that typ ically occurs in the setting of trauma. Early recognition of its pathognomo nic signs and aggressive management are paramount. (Am J Ophthalmol 1999;12 8:367-368. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).