Related Experiment Videos
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment in gas-producing infections
Abstract:
Thirty patients with gas-producing infections were treated with surgery, antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen during 1964-1977. Fourteen patients were infected with C. perfringens or C. septicum, 8 patients with B. fragilis or B. melaninogenicus, in 7 patients only aerobic bacteria were found, and in one patient no bacteria could be demonstrated. Thirteen patients had infections due to wounds, lacerations and/or compound fractures. Nine patients had gas-producing infection after surgery. Eight patients had abscesses and gas-producing infection. Of the 14 patients with clostridial infections, 2 patients died, and 6 underwent amputation. Four of the 8 patients with Bacteroides infection died, no amputation having been performed. Of the 7 patients in whom only aerobic bacteria were demonstrated, 3 patients died.
Insights
This study on gas-producing infections found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with surgery and antibiotics showed varied outcomes. Clostridial infections had high mortality and amputation rates, highlighting the severity of these gas-producing bacterial infections.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Infections
- Hyperbaric Medicine
Background:
- Gas-producing infections pose significant clinical challenges.
- Effective treatment strategies for these infections are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of treating gas-producing infections using surgery, antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 30 patients with gas-producing infections treated between 1964 and 1977.
- Treatment modalities included surgery, antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen.
- Bacterial etiology was identified, including Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium septicum, Bacteroides fragilis, and aerobic bacteria.
Main Results:
- Clostridial infections (14 patients) resulted in 2 deaths and 6 amputations.
- Bacteroides infections (8 patients) led to 4 deaths with no amputations.
- Infections with aerobic bacteria (7 patients) had 3 deaths.
Conclusions:
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, alongside surgery and antibiotics, demonstrated variable efficacy in treating gas-producing infections.
- Clostridial and Bacteroides infections were associated with high mortality and morbidity.
- Further research into optimal treatment protocols for diverse etiologies of gas-producing infections is warranted.