Specific Infections
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.
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“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.
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