Definition (Gas gangrene):
Gas gangrene is a potentially deadly form of tissue death (gangrene).
Causes: Gas gangrene is
caused by bacteria called Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). In
some cases, it can be caused by Group A Streptococcus.
Gas gangrene generally occurs at a recent surgical
or injury site. Rarely, it happens spontaneously, without apparent cause. In
either case, it comes on suddenly and spreads quickly.
Certain injuries have a higher risk of causing gas
gangrene, including:
- wounds
that are very deep
- injury
to muscles
- crushed
tissues
- wounds
that are contaminated with stool or dirt
increased risk for developing this
condition if you have:
- diabetes
- blood
vessel disease
- colon cancer
- frostbite
- open
fractures
- used
a contaminated needle to inject substances into your muscles
Symptoms: Signs and symptoms of gas gangrene
include:
- air
under the skin
- pain
- swelling
- pale
skin that turns gray, brownish-red, or black
- blisters
with foul-smelling discharge
- a
crackly sensation when you touch your skin in the affected area
- fever
- perspiration
- anxiety
- increased
heart rate
- vomiting
- yellow
skin and eyes (jaundice)
This condition spreads so rapidly that you can see
obvious changes in the skin of the affected area in just a few minutes.
Treatment for Gas
Gangrene: Treatment must begin immediately. For advanced cases, it may be
necessary to begin treatment before test results are in. Dead or infected tissue must be surgically removed (debridement),
and high doses of antibiotics will be administered.
In severe cases, amputation of a limb must be
performed to prevent the infection from spreading to the rest of your body.
Some physicians and hospitals use high-pressure
oxygen (hyperbaric oxygen) to increase the amount of oxygen in your blood. This
f therapy is used to help wounds—especially infected wounds—heal faster.
Possible Complications:
- Coma
- Delirium
- Disfiguring
or disabling permanent tissue damage
- Jaundice
with liver damage
- Kidney failure
- Shock
- Spread
of infection through the body (sepsis)
- Stupor
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