JPRAS Open. 2026 Mar 7;49:358-365. doi: 10.1016/j.jpra.2026.03.014. eCollection 2026 May.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening soft tissue infection. Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a promising biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis in severe infections.
METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 62 patients with confirmed NF treated at a high-volume Department of Plastic Surgery between January 2005 and May 2024. Clinical parameters, laboratory values, and surgical outcomes were evaluated. Patients were stratified into survivors and non-survivors.
RESULTS: Elevated PCT levels at admission were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (p = 0.0329), whereas other parameters showed no statistical significance. Skin grafting was the most common reconstructive procedure. No significant association was found between the type of reconstructive surgery and survival.
CONCLUSION: Serum PCT levels at admission may serve as a valuable prognostic marker in NF. Once infection control is achieved, reconstructive surgical interventions appear to be safe and do not influence survival.
PMID:41948778 | PMC:PMC13051722 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpra.2026.03.014
