Infective cutaneous gangrene--urgency in diagnosis and treatment.
Many descriptions of infective cutaneous gangrene have been published under a variety of names. The classification adopted by Ledingham and Tehrani is illustrated by 4 cases seen in the Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Although the incidence is high in Eastern countries, infective cutaneous gangrene is uncommon in the Western hemisphere owing to a difference in geographic pathology. Early and delayed management is described, stressing that early diagnosis and aggressive treatment is required, ideally by a team consisting of a microbiologist and plastic and general surgeons. There is a substantial risk associated with the failure to diagnose and treat this condition. Mortality rates and prognosis are reviewed.
Bailie
F B
FB
Department of Plastic Surgery, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, England.
Linehan
I P
IP
Hadfield
G J
GJ
Gillett
A P
AP
Bailey
B N
BN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation