Also known as: Flesh-eating bacteria
A newlywed patient develops rapidly spreading necrotizing fasciitis in her leg after cutting her foot on oyster shells. The medical team debates between amputation versus attempting to save the leg through aggressive debridement, ultimately choosing the latter approach due to the patient's young age and active lifestyle.
Also known as: Tumor on baby's neck
A pregnant teenager has a baby with a neck mass causing excess amniotic fluid and obstructing the airway and spine. The team plans an EXIT (ex utero intrapartum treatment) procedure where the baby is partially delivered while still on the umbilical cord to allow tumor resection before full birth.
Also known as: COPD
An elderly woman with end-stage COPD and DNR status is accidentally intubated by Meredith when found in respiratory distress. The episode centers on the ethical dilemma of removing life support from a patient who had explicitly requested no resuscitation, requiring her daughter's consent to honor the DNR order.