INTRODUCTION:

      Necrotising fasciitis is one the highly lethal infections that causes rapidly spreading necrosis of fascia and subcutaneous tissue which leads to high morbidity and mortality. With early diagnosis, outcome can be much improved so that long term disability can be significantly reduced or prevented.

AIM:

            To validate the LRINEC scoring system for the diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis among patients with soft tissue infections.

METHODS:

This was a prospective study which included patients who were admitted with soft tissue infections in Govt. Rajaji hospital, Madurai for a period of one year. These patients were subjected to LRINEC scoring system and results were interpreted.

RESULTS:    

            The present study comprised of 76 cases who were presented with necrotizing soft tissue infections as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Male gender, older age group predominantly in soft tissue infections.Present study showed that LRINEC score is capable of detecting early cases of necrotizing fasciitis among patients with severe soft tissue infections. Positive predictive value for the LRINEC scoring system was 94.7% with a sensitivity value of 95.6% in the present study. 51 patients with soft tissue infections were debrided based on LRINEC scoring system.

CONCLUSION:

     Early operative debridement was demonstrated to reduce mortality among patients with this condition. The LRINEC score is a robust index that is capable of detecting early cases of necrotizing fasciitis and is simple enough for routine use. LRINEC scoring system is an important  adjunctive tool in diagnosing necrotizing soft tissue infections.