Infections of the Lower Extremities Due to Gas-Forming and Non-Gas-Forming Organisms
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1986
Description
From 1977 to 1984, 87 above-and below-knee amputations were done on 77 patients for ischemic ulcerations and gangrene of the lower extremities. The overall three-month mortality was 14% and was mainly related to generalized atherosclerosis. Patients having infections with gas formations were more likely to be diabetic (80% vs 15%, P<.01), have clinical sepsis and a higher preoperative WBC (19,000 vs 12,600/cu mm, P<.01), and have a higher mortality (40% vs 12%, P<.05) than those with infections due to non-gas-forming organisms. Mixed bacterial flora were cultured from most wounds. We conclude that (1) infections with gas formation may be due to either clostridial or nonclostridial organisms, (2)’ mortality is higher if gas accumulates and if the patient is diabetic, (3) gas is more likely to accumulate in infected extremities of diabetic patients, and (4) the combination of gas formation and diabetes is highly lethal.
Citation Information
Vo, Nghia M.; Watson, Scott; and Bryant, Lester R.. 1986. Infections of the Lower Extremities Due to Gas-Forming and Non-Gas-Forming Organisms. Southern Medical Journal. Vol.79(12). 1493-1495. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007611-198612000-00005 PMID: 3787284 ISSN: 0038-4348