Skeletal muscle PO2 in anaerobic soft tissue infections during hyperbaric oxygen therapy

In the present study skeletal muscle PO2 measurements were performed in patients with gas gangrene and anaerobic soft tissue infections before, during and after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Polarographic PO2 needle electrodes appeared to be suitable for application during different ambient pressures. We found that patients with gas gangrene revealed higher skeletal muscle PO2 values than patients with an anaerobic soft tissue infection. This may be explained by a higher metabolic rate within the anaerobically infected soft tissues. The higher PO2 values in gas gangrene may be caused by alpha toxins, affecting cellular and intracellular membranes thus destroying PO2 diffusion barriers.