Ann Surg Treat Res.  2015 Aug;89(2):102-106. 10.4174/astr.2015.89.2.102.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast in a pregnant woman successfully treated using negative-pressure wound therapy

• Lee J
• Lee KJ
• Sun WY

• KMID: 2166979
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2015.89.2.102

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare and rapidly progressive disease involving the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and deep soft tissue. Although NF can occur any part of the body, the breast is an uncommon primary site for NF, and its occurrence in the breast during pregnancy has never previously been reported. Here, we report the case of a healthy 31-year-old pregnant woman who presented with NF of the left breast that was successfully treated with breast-conserving debridement and secondary wound closure using negative-pressure wound therapy.

Keyword

Necrotizing fasciitis; Breast; Pregnancy; Negative-pressure wound therapy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Breast*
Debridement
Fasciitis, Necrotizing*
Female
Humans
Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy*
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women*
Skin
Subcutaneous Tissue
Wounds and Injuries

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Ultrasound image of necrotizing fasciitis. Ultrasound revealing marked subcutaneous and glandular edema, intraglandular fluid collection, brighter echo (A), and decreased superficial blood flow in Doppler sonogram (B) compared to that in the contralateral normal breast (C, D).

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) Necrotizing fasciitis of the left breast demonstrating edema, inflammation, and an area of necrosis. (B) Postoperative photograph demonstrating open wound after removal of the nipple-areolar complex. (C) Wound defect closed with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on postoperative day 6. (D) Healed wound after 4 weeks of application of NPWT on postoperative day 62.

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