[Gas and oedema producing infections--today still a challenge (author's transl)]

Clostridial infections, putrid infections with aerobic and anerobic growing germs, air forced into the tissue during the primary trauma and the formation of gas by contact of the wound with aluminium, H2O2 and gasoline may be causes for the formation of gas and oedema in the tissues. Only infections with Clostridia are gas gangrene. We must differentiate the clostridial cellulitis from the clostridial myositis. Bacterioscopy allows a rapid differentiation to be made between putrid and clostridial infection. Beside intensive care and antibiotics, putrid infections demand an early extensive incision, for gas gangrene the radical excision of the damaged tissue is required. The effect of hyperbaric oxygenation is still under discussion. It can never replace surgical treatment.