Introduction: Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) has a high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to describe the perioperative management of children under 15 years of age who have had this condition for 15 years in a pediatric hospital.
Material and methods: cases series of patients identified by Pathological Anatomy with NSTI during 2000 and 2015 at the Dr. Roberto del Río Hospital. Demographic variables, treatment, antecedents of vaccination, surgeries, complications, microorganisms, follow-up, and deaths are described.

Results: 22 patients were identified, with a median of 2 years 9 months of age (interquartile range: 13 months to 5 years y 10 months). 50% of the cases were associated to chickenpox. Two died. No patient was previously vaccinated against varicella zoster virus. The location was trunk (14), extremities (7) and neck (1). All conscious patients presented cutaneous hyperesthesia. Surgical debridement was performed with a median of 6.8 hours from the onset of hyperesthesia and 2 hours from diagnostic suspicion. The most frequent microorganisms were: Streptococcus pyogenes (38%) and Escherichia coli (31%). The most frequent antibiotics used were penicillin plus clindamycin. The wound was handled with primary closure, grafts and / or flaps. Five patients evolved with sequelae that needed treatment.

Conclusion: It was identified that STNI in children is associated with chickenpox. It should be suspected in cutaneous lesions and disproportionate hyperesthesia. Aggressive resection is essential for treatment.