Limb salvage after gas gangrene: a case report and review of the literature
2011

Limb Salvage After Gas Gangrene: A Case Report and Literature Review

Sample size: 11 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): John Aggelidakis, Konstantinos Lasithiotakis, Anastasia Topalidou, John Koutroumpas, Georgios Kouvidis, Paulos Katonis

Primary Institution: University Hospital of Heraklion

Hypothesis

Can early surgical intervention and antibiotic treatment preserve limb function in cases of gas gangrene?

Conclusion

Early surgical debridement and antibiotic treatment can lead to limb salvage in cases of gas gangrene.

Supporting Evidence

  • Gas gangrene is a necrotic infection that can be life-threatening.
  • Early treatment with surgery and antibiotics can preserve limb function.
  • Most cases of limb salvage reported involved immediate surgical intervention.

Takeaway

Gas gangrene is a serious infection that can lead to limb loss, but with quick surgery and medicine, doctors can sometimes save the limb.

Methodology

Case report and literature review of gas gangrene cases focusing on limb salvage outcomes.

Limitations

The review is limited to English language articles and may not represent all cases of gas gangrene.

Participant Demographics

The case presented involved a 35-year-old Caucasian male with a history of intravenous drug use.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1749-7922-6-28

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