Necrosis

Necrosis is the irreversible death of cells or tissue in a specific area, most commonly caused by a loss of blood supply, severe infection, or direct trauma. It often presents as discolored, darkened, or non‑viable skin or fat, and can cause pain, numbness, delayed healing, drainage, or wound breakdown depending on the depth and extent of tissue loss.

In plastic surgery, necrosis can occur in skin flaps, grafts, or within fatty tissue (fat necrosis) and is more likely when blood flow is compromised by tight closures, excessive tension, prior radiation, smoking, or infection. Management depends on severity and may include close wound care, antibiotics, surgical debridement of dead tissue, and reconstruction for persistent defects, while prevention emphasizes careful surgical technique, preserving vascular supply, and optimizing patient factors such as smoking cessation and control of underlying medical conditions.