Hospital saves patient with flesh eating condition of scalp

Mangaluru: Doctors at the Srinivas Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre (SIMS and RC), Mukka, were able to reverse a flesh eating scalp condition in a middle-aged patient after a month-long treatment regimen.
Dr Adil Ali, head of plastic and reconstructive surgery, SIMS and RC, spoke to the media on Friday and explained that flesh eating diseases are common, but very uncommon to find on the scalp. He said, 45-year-old Luke Richard, a resident of Surathkal, and a contractor by profession, had initially received a minor injury to the scalp. However, it soon degenerated and progressed rapidly into necrotizing fasciitis with spreading cellulites. This is a severe and potentially life-threatening gangrenous condition, commonly known as flesh eating disease. This infection results in the death of parts of the body’s soft tissue with septicemia. As the scalp got infected it posed added risks and difficulties. The patient was also newly diagnosed to have uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, which is one of the known risk factors for the disease getting exacerbated. Along with Adil, the surgical team of SIMS and RC, headed by Dr Aravind Naik, examined the patient.

The infected portion was surgically debrided and VAC Veraflow negative pressure wound therapy was applied. The infection was controlled and healthy granulation tissue was achieved within 10 days of treatment. Finally, split thickness skin grafting was done. The will power of the patient, his trust in the doctors treating him and compliance to the treatment and diet protocol helped in hastening the wound healing. The patient who was worried that he may not survive the ordeal was discharged within a month of hospital stay. Now he is leading a normal life and has thanked the medical team for treating him with sensitivity and empathy. Dr Adil added that flesh eating disease is a life-threatening one, and needs to be treated as soon as possible.

The success of the treatment called for multidisciplinary team work and included valuable contributions from Dr P Sathyamoorthy Aithal, HoD surgery, Dr Amar D N, associate professor of surgery, Dr Sathyajith Karanth, Dr Prashanth Kumar, department of anesthesia, Dr Deepak, neurosurgeon, Dr Anitha Sequeira, associate professor, department of medicine, Dr Vijetha, department of dermatology and Dr Sangeetha, department of ophthalmology.