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What is Gas Gangrene?

What is gas gangrene?

Gas gangrene is a medical condition resulting from the death of body tissues due to the lack of sufficient oxygen and blood supply to the tissues.  It is a clinical condition affecting the parts such as fingers and toes. However, it can seriously affect the internal organs such as intestines, gall bladder, etc, too.

Why is it called gas gangrene? 

Gas gangrene is a bacterial infection that attacks the injured part all of a sudden. These bacteria produce toxins that release a foul-smelling gas that causes tissue-death along with formation of bubbles and blisters on the affected area.  So, it is called a gas gangrene infection.

What are the causes of gas gangrene?

The bacteria Clostridium Perfringens are mainly responsible for causing gas gangrene. Various strains and species of Clostridia are known to attack the blood-deficient parts of the body ultimately causing tissue death.

Bacteria may start invading the tissues suddenly post-injury or surgery or any other trauma to the internal parts of the body.

Toxins produced by Clostridia include alpha, beta, theta toxins have different properties such as hemolytic and degrading vascular cells which aid in creating an anaerobic environment required for the proliferation of the bacteria to the affected site. 

Sudden trauma, presence of infection and less blood supply to the injured parts of the body may cause gas gangrene.

What are the risk factors of Gas gangrene?

The risk factors are any condition that can cause lack of blood supply to the tissues or organ such as:

  • Obesity
  • Impaired or weakened immune system
  • Diabetes or elevated sugar levels
  • Blocked arteries or narrowing of the coronary arteries also called Atherosclerosis
  • Excessive use of tobacco
  • Overconsumption of alcohol and excessive smoking
  • Pre morbid conditions of intestines such as twisted intestines or hernia.
  • Frostbite or prolonged exposure to cold temperatures
  • Peripheral vascular disease which reduces the blood supply to the distal portion of limbs
  • Recent surgery or injury or burns
  • Contaminated wounds

What are the symptoms of Gas gangrene?

Gas gangrene of the visible parts such as arms and feet have a typical skin presentation with apparent change in the skin color from pale yellow to bluish to brown to black in addition to symptoms such as:

Presence of swelling in the affected part or limb

Presence of blisters or bubbles. This may burst leaving exudate or foul-smelling purulent discharge

Fever, rapid pulse rate and low blood pressure

Necrosis of the tissue

Shining of the skin of the affected muscle or deep tissue

Pain in abdomen, in cases where there is progression of gangrene in the internal parts such as intestines.

What are the different types of gangrene?

Depending upon the type of the lesion and or organ/tissue involved, the gangrene can be grouped as:

1.       Dry gangrene
2.       Wet gangrene
3.       Gas gangrene
4.       Internal gangrene
5.       Fournier's gangrene
6.       Meley’s gangrene

How is gas gangrene diagnosed?

Gas gangrene can be diagnosed through:

  • ·         Accurate medical history and physical assessment of the patient
  • ·         Skin test and culture for the detection of the bacterial infection
  • ·         Blood count test to detect elevated white blood cell counts that confirm the presence of infection in the body
  • ·         MRI or CT scan to rule out the involvement of the deeper structures of the body
  • ·         Exploratory surgery to detect internal spread of gangrene

What is the treatment of the gas gangrene?

The treatment at the initial stages includes:

  • ·         Debridement of the affected part 
  •         Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy
  • ·         Rich oxygen therapy in a hyperbaric chamber at high atmospheric pressure higher than sea level to combat the anaerobic environment of the internal or deep muscles.
  • ·         In case of the vascular component involved such as narrowed or occluded arteries, the treatment with vasodilators may even be prescribed.
  • ·         Early detection and diagnosis thus helps prevent the further progression or spread of the tissues.

·         If diagnosed too late the only alternative that remains in hand is the surgical excision and debridement of the full gangrenous parts such as amputation of the leg or arm to stop the further spread of infection.  Although this cannot be a confirmation that all the infectious tissue is being removed, the gas gangrene might or might not spread further following debridement.

What are the complications of Gas gangrene?

The complications of gas gangrene may be fatal if it is left untreated. 

It may lead to rapid spread of the gangrene to the deeper and internal parts of the body, amputation of the body parts or even can be as fatal as causing death of the person if it remains untreated promptly.

Note: This post is for informational and educational purpose only, It is not a substitute to any medical or professional advice or treatment. See your doctor in any case.

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