Definition:

Wound which contain lacerated or crushed tissue are those most likely to develop gas gangrene. The organism may be present in a wound but the anerobic conditions in which a tissue has lost all or most of it’s blood supply are essential for it’s proliferation. The organism is Clostridium perfringens .

Sources:

The organism arises from the patient’s own intestinal Flora. It is particularly important that , if gas gangrene is to be avoided following amputations or operations on the hip in these patients, the skin should be treated with extra care and care should be taken to exclude faecal matter from the wound . Additionally , penicillin is administered intramuscularly at the beginning of the operation.

Causes:

Lack of blood supply:

The blood provides oxygen and nutrients to the body. It also provides the immune system with antibodies to fight infections. Without a proper blood supply, cells can’t survive, and tissue dies.

Infection: 

An untreated bacterial infection can cause gangrene.

Traumatic injury:

Gunshot wounds or crushing injuries from car crashes can cause open wounds that let bacteria into the body. If the bacteria infect tissues and remain untreated, gangrene can occur.

Risk factor:

• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can eventually damage blood vessels. Blood vessel damage can slow or block blood flow to a part of the body.
• Blood vessel disease:Hardened and narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis) and blood clots can block blood flow to an area of the body.
• Smoking: People who smoke have a higher risk of gangrene.
• Obesity: Extra weight can push on arteries, slowing blood flow and increasing the risk of infection and poor wound healing.
• Immunosuppression: Chemotherapy, radiation and certain infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can affect the body’s ability to fight off infections.
• Injections: Rarely, injectable drugs have been linked to infection with bacteria that cause gangrene.
• Covid_19 : There have been a few reports of people getting dry gangrene in their fingers and toes after having COVID-19-related blood clotting problems (coagulopathy). More research is needed to confirm this link.