RT Book, Section A1 Conly, John A2 Hall, Jesse B. A2 Schmidt, Gregory A. A2 Kress, John P. SR Print(0) ID 1107721157 T1 Soft Tissue Infections T2 Principles of Critical Care, 4e YR 2015 FD 2015 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071738811 LK accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1107721157 RD 2024/03/29 AB Soft tissue infections characterized by extensive necrosis of subcutaneous tissue, fascia, or muscle are uncommon, but they require prompt recognition and urgent surgical treatment.The classic hallmarks of necrotizing soft tissue infections are extensive involvement of the subcutaneous tissues and a relative paucity of cutaneous involvement until late in the course of the infection.Rapidly spreading soft tissue infections present acutely with severe systemic toxicity.Successful management of these critically ill patients depends on prompt diagnosis by clinical and radiologic means.The principles of management include fluid resuscitation, hemodynamic stabilization, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial regimen, and early surgical intervention.Prompt surgery, in which a definitive diagnosis is reached and all necrotic tissue is debrided, should be considered the mainstay of treatment.The mortality rate is highest when the diagnosis is delayed or initial surgical treatment is limited.