To investigate the prognostic factors of cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) in the elderly.

The complete data of 35 elderly patients with cervical necrotizing fasciitis admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from January 2006 to December 2018 were analyzed, and the clinical data of postoperative dead patients and surviving patients were compared. The statistically significant indicators of univariate analysis were substituted into the multivariate Logistic regression model for multivariate analysis.

Among 35 patients, 9 died (death group) and 26 survived (survival group) 3~10(6.8±1.3) days after operation. There were statistically significant differences in course of disease, red blood cell and white blood cell count, blood glucose level, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, hemoglobin level, debridement within 24 hours, shock within 24 hours, descending pleurisy within 48 hours, types of complications, education level, drug-resistant bacteria and family income between the two groups (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Logistic multiple regression analysis showed that the indicators with statistical significance in univariate analysis were independent prognostic factors in elderly patients with CNF (P < 0.05 or 0.01).

Concurrent descending pleurisy, diabetes, septic shock within 24 h, more than 3 complications and long course of disease were the main risk factors leading to the death of CNF in the elderly, while high education level, high family income, early complete debridement and drainage combined with sensitive antibiotics had positive significance for reducing the death risk of CNF in the elderly.