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Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in the Geriatric Patient

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Emergency General Surgery in Geriatrics

Part of the book series: Hot Topics in Acute Care Surgery and Trauma ((HTACST))

Abstract

Geriatric patients are more prone to the development of necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections because of the risk factors associated with aging. Because this diagnosis is not always obvious by physical exam, laboratory testing, and imaging, these patients must be approached with a high index of suspicion in order to appropriately manage these infections. Necrotizing soft tissue infections are classified by microbiologic etiology and proper key providers into correct identification of offending pathogens; however, surgery is the mainstay of therapy. Nonoperative treatment modalities offer helpful adjuncts but cannot replace source control. Ultimately, these infections in the geriatric population can be devastating and are associated with high morbidity and mortality as patients have decreased physical reserve and ability to recover from the septic insult. Prompt diagnosis and management give these patients the best opportunity for survival and recovery.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Valley Health System, Las Vegas, NV, USA

    Kelli Ann Ifuku, Charles Chesnut, Saju Joseph & C. Neal Ellis

  2. Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Vallejo, CA, USA

    Kelli Ann Ifuku, Charles Chesnut, Saju Joseph & C. Neal Ellis

Authors
  1. Kelli Ann Ifuku
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  2. Charles Chesnut
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  3. Saju Joseph
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  4. C. Neal Ellis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Saju Joseph .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, New York Medical College, School of Medicine and Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, USA

    Rifat Latifi

  2. Emergency Surgery Department, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy

    Fausto Catena

  3. General, Emergency and Trauma Surgery Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy

    Federico Coccolini

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Ifuku, K.A., Chesnut, C., Joseph, S., Ellis, C.N. (2021). Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in the Geriatric Patient. In: Latifi, R., Catena, F., Coccolini, F. (eds) Emergency General Surgery in Geriatrics . Hot Topics in Acute Care Surgery and Trauma. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62215-2_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62215-2_28

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-62214-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-62215-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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