Management and postoperative use of double-cannula irrigation–drainage tube in cervical necrotizing fasciitis: a Chinese single-institution experience of 46 patients

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze a Chinese institution's experience with managing cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) and observe the effects of a new therapeutic approach for postoperative drainage system. A retrospective study was established including a total of 46 CNF patients who underwent surgical debridement between April 2006 and April 2018. Analyses of demographic data, etiology, comorbidity, microbiology, complications, treatment methods, duration of treatment, and treatment outcomes were obtained. There were 16 kinds of microbes cultured in 29 patients. Diabetic patients were more commonly infected by microbes (P < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the number of operative time (P < 0.05) and length of hospitalization (P < 0.01) with postoperative therapy of double-cannula irrigation-drainage (DCID) system. CNF management includes controlling for comorbidities especially glycemic control and reasonable utilization of antibiotics and aggressive postoperative therapy. DCID system can effectively reduce operative frequency and duration of hospitalization.