Photobiomodulation to Treat Necrotizing Fasciitis

Abstract

The spread of odontogenic infections associated with comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, can result in a potentially lethal complication, with rapid necrosis of the superficial fascia, necrotizing fasciitis. In this case report, a female patient, 52 years old, fasting blood glucose of 303 mg/dL with necrotizing fasciitis associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the left cervical-thoracic region. She was treated with antibiotics, cervicotomy, abscess drainage, and underwent 10 photobiomodulation sessions with 2 weekly applications of the red wavelength laser to correct tissue loss in the left cervical region. With the development of tissue healing, the formation of granulation tissue increased, absence of necrotic areas, contraction of the edges, and total wound repair. This case emphasizes the effectiveness of photobiomodulation to optimize healing and modulate the inflammatory pattern in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis sequelae.