Necrotising Fasciitis of the Submandibular Region

Abstract

Two cases of necrotizing fasciitis (NF) complicat-ing different conditions of the maxillofacial re-gion, treated at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital are reported. These were managed by an early diagno-sis, aggressive surgical exploration, fasciotomies and debridement of necrotic tissue. In addition, frequent irrigation within the fascial planes with eusol and saline solutions plus the administration of broad spectrum antibiotics ensured early con-tainment of the spread of the infection. Our early recognition of the signs and symptoms of NF led to an early intervention resulting in minimal resid-ual skin defects which even though were not skin-grafted healed satisfactorily.