Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy: A Lifesaver in a Case of Neck Necrotizing Fasciitis

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe and rare soft tissue infection with a high potential for mortality, particularly in cases related to odontogenic infections in immunocompromised patients. The conventional treatment for NF includes broad-spectrum antibiotics and aggressive surgical debridement. This report presents a unique case of a 34-year-old healthy male who developed NF following a lower left wisdom tooth extraction. The infection extended into the superior mediastinum, requiring emergency surgical intervention. The therapeutic management included vacuum-assisted closure (VAC), a treatment modality showing promise in managing complex soft tissue infections, in combination with other adjunct treatments. The patient showed a satisfactory healing process and no signs of recurrence during the six-month follow-up period. This case underlines the importance of early diagnosis and the potential benefit of VAC therapy in managing advanced NF, emphasizing the need for further research and clinical application.