This is to present how a case of a simple thorn prick if neglected can lead to severe sepsis to the verge of losing the limb and maybe Life threatening also.
A 70 yr old female presented to the emergency department of Tirumala Medicover hospitals with painful swelling of her right lower limb and fever since 5 days. She gave a history of thorn pick injury one week prior to the onset of the pain and fever. She is a K/C/O of diabetes mellitus and is on medication. The patient was having hypotension, elevated total count and anemia . O/E Erythematous swelling with severe tenderness of the right leg and medial side of the right thigh with areas of skin necrosis.
After stabilizing the patient with IV fluids, empirical antibiotics and analgesics and other supportive measures like PRBC transfusions Debridement of all the devitalized tissue in the thigh and FASCIOTOMY of the right leg was done in a phased manner. Then culture sensitive antibiotics were given. The wounds were managed with regular sterile dressings till the resultant raw area with healthy granulation tissue is obtained.
SPLIT SKIN GRAFT was done for the raw area of the thigh and SUTURING was done to the narrow raw area in the leg.
The graft took well and the donor site healed completely without any complications.
Timely DEBRIDMENT of the devitalized tissue thus removing septic focus, skin graft and comprehensive management by the department of plastic surgery and general surgery could save this 70yr old female who was discharged with a
very good outcome and to the delight of the patient.
