Severe skin and soft tissue infections. An update

Severe skin and soft tissue infections present a high morbidity and mortality and require a complex surgical treatment. Its estimated annual incidence is 0.3 to 5 cases per 10 000 people. The most common etiologic agents are Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, anaerobes and gram-negative bacilli. A prompt diagnosis and the timely initiation of an empirical antibiotic scheme and repeated surgical debridement can avert a worrisome outcome. New therapeutic options are promising, especially for infections caused by multidrug resistant germs. A multidisciplinary approach is fundamental for the correct management of these conditions.