Gas Gangrene: Clinical Features, Causes, and Treatment

Question 1. Describe the clinical features and treatment of gas gangrene.

Answer. It is a highly fatal spreading infection caused by Clostridium organism, which results in “myonecrosis.”

It is also known as clostridial myositis, clostridial myonecrosis, and infective gangrene of muscles.
The most common causing agent is Clostridium welchii.

“Understanding Gas Gangrene Causes And Risks”

Clinical Features

Presence of features of toxemia, fever, tachycardia, and pallor.
The wound is under tension with foul-smelling discharge.
The color of the skin is khaki brown due to hemolysis.
Crepitus can be felt.
Jaundice can be present, and oliguria signifies renal failure.
Most commonly, the sites affected the e adductor region of the lower limb and buttocks and the subscapular region in the upper limb.

“Step-By-Step Guide To Gas Gangrene Treatment“

Treatment

Injectionbenzylpenicillinn 20 lacs four hourly + injection metronidazole 500 mg 8 hourly + injection aminoglycosides or third generation cephalosporins or metronidazole.
Fresh blood transfusion.
Polyvalent antiserum 25,000 units were given intravenously after a test dose and repeated after 6 hours.
Hyperbaric oxygen is very useful.
Liberal incisions are given. All dead tissues are excised, and debridement is done until healthy tissue bleeds.
Rehydration and maintaining optimum urine output.
Electrolyte management is done.

“Effective Ways To Prevent Gas Gangrene”

In severe cases, amputation has to be done as a life-saving procedure and should never be closed (Guillotine amputation).
Often, ventilator support is required.
Once a ward or operation theater is used for a patient with gas gangrene, it should be fumigated for 24–48 hours properly to prevent the risk of spreading the infection to other patients, ts, especially with open wounds.
Hypotension in gas gangrene is treated with whole blood transfusion.

Reader Interactions