Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2011 | Review
Limb salvage after gas gangrene: a case report and review of the literature
Authors:
John Aggelidakis, Konstantinos Lasithiotakis, Anastasia Topalidou, John Koutroumpas, Georgios Kouvidis, Paulos Katonis
Published in:
World Journal of Emergency Surgery
|
Issue 1/2011
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Abstract
Gas gangrene is a necrotic infection of soft tissue associated with high mortality, often necessitating amputation in order to control the infection. Herein we present a case of gas gangrene of the arm in an intravenous drug user with a history of intramuscular injections with normal saline in the shoulder used to provoke pain for recovery after drug induced coma. The patient was early treated with surgery and antibiotics rendering possible the preservation of the limb and some of its function. Additionally, a review of the literature regarding case reports of limb salvage after gas gangrene is presented.