Eikenella corrodens causing necrotizing fasciitis after an elective inguinal hernia repair in an adult: a case report and literature review
Miller, A.T.; Byrn, J.C.; Divino, C.M.; Weber, K.J.
American Surgeon 73(9): 876-879
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1348 PMID: 17939416 Document Number: 605642
We report an unusual case of necrotizing fasciitis in a 43-year-old man after elective inguinal hernia repair. The patient presented to the emergency department 9 days postoperatively with high fevers, tachycardia, and crepitus along his abdominal wall. He was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy as well as a wide debridement of all necrotic tissue. Cultures grew out Eikenella corrodens, which, to our knowledge, has only been reported in one other case as a cause of necrotizing fasciitis. Patients can develop necrotizing fasciitis after elective, clean procedures and should be adequately resuscitated, undergo immediate surgical debridement, and receive antibiotics. Laparoscopy can be useful in determining if intraabdominal pathology is the cause of the infection and a wound vacuum-assisted device is a cost-effective way to decrease healing times.