Meningococcal disease affects as many as 3,000 people in the United States per
year, with the highest incidence in children younger than two years of age and
two-thirds of cases occurring in children younger than five years of age. Children
who survive meningococcemia face quality-of-life issues that result from limb
deficiencies. Consultation with an experienced pediatric orthopedic surgeon in
the early stages of the illness is vital for planning surgical approaches for
amputation of the resulting necrotic tissue and for minimizing eventual tissue
loss. Early surgical intervention is rarely indicated in cases of extremity
gangrene unless a secondary infection is present. Allowing time for tissue
demarcation and recovery can be essential for limb length preservation. Maintaining
functional joints is important for long-term quality of life and activities of
daily living