Peripheral gangrene in African children: a clinical report of twelve cases

Clinical observations of 12 cases of peripheral gangrene in children are reported. All patients presented with ischemia of one or more limbs without any history of trauma, vascular injury or snake bite. Prior to their admission, all these children had received some form of traditional "African" therapy. By means of exclusion severe vasospasm secondary to the traditional treatment was considered the causative factor of the peripheral gangrene in all the children. Surgical exploration of the arteries with a Fogarty embolectomy catheter in two patients and medical treatment in six patients was attempted. The overall results were disappointing, with most resulting in incapacitating amputations.