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Mnemonics, Simplified Concepts & Thoughts

Finger test for Necrotizing Fascitis

Epomedicine, Feb 22, 2020Feb 22, 2020

Last updated on February 22, 2020

Synonyms: Finger sweep test

Finger test can be performed under Local anesthesia or General anesthesia in:

  1. Emergency department
  2. Bedside in wards
  3. Operation theaters
finger sweep test

Procedure:

  1. Area is infiltrated with local anesthetic
  2. A 2 cm test incision down to fascia is made in the suspected area
  3. The tissues are visually examined for:
    • The absence bleeding
    • Dirty ‘dishwater’ coloured fluid
    • Discolouration of the fat
    • Non-contracting muscles
  4. A rapid finger sweep at the level of the fascia is then carried out. If the tissues dissect with minimal resistance this again favours the diagnosis of necrotizing fascitis.
  5. Fluid and tissue samples can also be obtained at this stage for microbiological analysis.

Reference: Albadri Z, Salman K. Necrotizing fasciitis of the finger. IDCases. 2019 May 10;17:e00560. doi: 10.1016/j.idcr.2019.e00560. PMID: 31384560; PMCID: PMC6667696.

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Clinical Skills and Approaches General SurgeryMusculoskeletal systemOrthopedics

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Epomedicine. Finger test for Necrotizing Fascitis [Internet]. Epomedicine; 2020 Feb 22 [cited 2025 May 31]. Available from: https://epomedicine.com/clinical-medicine/finger-test-for-necrotizing-fascitis/.

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