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Dr. Cole's Emergency Treatments

Florida Hospital Doctor Saves Patient’s Legs From Deadly Flesh-eating Bacteria

Tim Peterson, 46, thought he would never walk out of Florida Hospital Orlando with his legs after he acquired a life and limb threatening infection in the Gulf of Mexico. But after seven months, 15 surgeries, and months of rehab Peterson is looking forward to getting his life back to normal.

“Once this disease, called Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh eating bacteria, enters the bloodstream, it can cause a severe and life-threatening illness, decreased blood pressure, and skin lesions,” said Dr. J. Dean Cole, Medical Director of the Florida Hospital Orthopaedic Institute Fracture Care Center. “He is very lucky to not only have his legs still, but his life.”

The Orlando resident was fishing 120 miles off shore in the Gulf of Mexico, when he pricked his finger trying to pick up a barnacle encrusted buoy. Through this small cut, the germ Vibrio vulnificus entered his body. Within hours, he began feeling the affects of this life-threatening germ. First, his right leg began hurting, followed by chills and a fever. After 48 hours the condition continued to worsen, sending Peterson to the emergency room at Florida Hospital Orlando. The infection had already set in and started eating away at the soft tissue in his legs. “My wife watched as the black, blue, and purple blisters grew up my legs right in front of her eyes,” said Peterson.

Vibrio vulnificus is a flesh-eating bacterium that lives in salt water and is found more often around Florida because of the warmer waters. The bacteria can enter the body through a cut so small; it might not even be noticeable. According to the CDC, Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50% of the time. The sooner the condition is treated, the better the chance of survival. In an effort to save not only Peterson’s legs but also his life, he had to undergo surgery immediately.

The first surgery, Peterson underwent with Dr. Cole was to apply an external fixator (cage) to both his legs to begin the tedious process of trying to decrease the swelling with 24-hour a day elevation of the legs above his heart. Next, began the painful process of serial debridements every four to seven days. This involves removing the dead tissue and applying temporary skin to allow for the healthy tissue to regenerate. After a half dozen debridement surgeries and stabilization of the infection, dermal reconstruction treatment began. The reconstruction process involved three additional surgeries for skin grafting, in which healthy tissue was taken from his thighs. After completing all of his surgeries Peterson would enter rehab to regain balance and walking ability.

Peterson is still in rehab and has months to go before he will have the same strength in his legs as he did before. But Peterson feels fortunate to still have his legs and his life. Once he is completely recovered he plans to build his wife a new home with a fresh water lake, so he doesn’t have to go near the salt water again.

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