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What is Necrosectomy?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 12,585
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Necrosectomy is the surgical removal of dead tissue from a patient. A surgeon may recommend this procedure out of concern that tissue death will lead to infection and other health problems. It is a form of debridement, which is surgical treatment for infections leading to seriously inflamed or dead tissue. The surgeon typically operates on a patient under general anesthesia to make sure the patient remains comfortable throughout the surgery.

One common reason to need necrosectomy is acute pancreatitis, where part of the pancreas becomes so inflamed that cells start to die. Removal of this organ could cause compromises for the patient and may not be medically necessarily. Taking the dead tissue off and leaving the rest of the pancreas intact can provide an appropriate middle ground for treatment, allowing the doctor to remove dangerous material without taking out the whole organ.

In a typical necrosectomy, the surgeon usually tries to go in laparoscopically, through a series of small incisions to access the site. This technique results in less scarring and a shorter healing time, because the patient does not need to manage a large open incision. The surgeon will pump gas into the area to expand it and make everything easier to see. Typically, surgeons start by flushing with sterile saline to remove pus and other material around the site. Then, they will cut away and remove dead tissue, flush again to clean, and close the incision.

After a necrosectomy, the surgeon will provide the patient with antibiotics to prevent infection and may want to monitor the wound. Patients already in the hospital may stay for treatment so nurses and doctors can identify complications early. If a patient is sent home, she will need to be alert to signs of infection and must call a doctor if problems develop. These could include wound dehiscence, where the sutures split and the wound opens back up, infection, or reactions to medications like antibiotics.

Sometimes, a necrosectomy is not successful. The infection may be too deep and widespread and it could become necessary to remove an organ or amputate to prevent more tissue death, as well as serious health compromises. Doctors use tools like physical examination, medical imaging studies, and blood panels to assess the patient's response to surgery and to determine if more treatment is necessary. Surgeons usually want to strike a balance between being conservative, sparing patients unnecessary procedures, and moving too slowly to catch a serious medical problem.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments
By ceilingcat — On Aug 05, 2011

@strawCake - Wow that sounds really scary! I don't have any personal experience with the procedure, but I'm pretty sure they featured it on an episode of Grey's Anatomy.

The patient had necrotizing fasciitis, and one of the surgeons really wanted to amputate. However, the more senior surgeon insisted on trying to remove just the dead tissue first. The necrosectomy worked and the patient was able to keep her leg.

It was interesting to watch on the TV show. That being said, I fervently hope I never have to have any experience with any illness that necessitates a necrosectomy in real life!

By strawCake — On Aug 04, 2011

Strangely, I actually know someone who has had this done. A casual friend of mine who moved to Australia a few years ago got necrotizing faciitis, commonly known as "flesh eating disease."

It was extra scary because the only way she and I were keeping in touch was online. So I heard that she was going to hospital with flesh eating disease and then I didn't hear anything for a few days!

She had to have a necrosectomy on her leg and take a ton of antibiotics. She almost died! She is fine now, but she does have a few scars from the procedure.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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