Periorbital necrotising soft tissue infection in a 12-year-old patient

Abstract

Head and neck necrotising soft-tissue infection is exceptionally uncommon in the paediatric population. necrotising soft-tissue infection is severe and often life-threatening. Rapid spread of infection and systemic illness make necrotising soft-tissue infection a challenge for the medical and surgical teams. Early identification and surgical intervention are essential for a favourable patient outcome. This report details the case of periorbital necrotising soft-tissue infection in a 12-year-old male patient following an uncomplicated facial laceration. Prompt surgical debridement with planned return visits to theatre and guided empirical antibiotic therapy ensured that a satisfactory patient outcome was achieved. The failure of current necrotising soft-tissue infection diagnostic scoring tools to be positive in this case may suggest that these tools require refinement and validation.