Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Orbit Managed With Temporary Indwelling Retrobulbar Catheter

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025 Jan-Feb;41(1):e30-e32. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000002806. Epub 2024 Oct 10.

Abstract

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection with high mortality. Aggressive and often repeated surgical debridements are considered the mainstay of treatment, but these interventions may cause significant postoperative morbidity. In this article, the authors present a rare case of orbital necrotizing fasciitis, which was treated with the use of a temporary indwelling retrobulbar drain for antibiotic delivery to deep orbital tissues, in lieu of aggressive debridement. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of this technique.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Catheters, Indwelling* / adverse effects
  • Debridement / methods
  • Drainage / methods
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / etiology
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / microbiology
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / therapy
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing* / diagnosis
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing* / etiology
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orbit
  • Orbital Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Orbital Diseases* / etiology
  • Orbital Diseases* / microbiology
  • Orbital Diseases* / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents