title: Clostridium perfringens wound infection associated with elastic bandages.
abstract: Clostridium perfringens wound infections were associated with the use of nonsterile elastic outer bandages in diabetic patients who had undergone lower extremity amputation for vascular insufficiency. In each case a second surgical procedure was required. Elastic bandages similar to those used in these procedures were found to contain C perfringens and other clostridial species. This report illustrates the need for maintenance of a sterile, nonpermeable inner barrier to prevent transudation of bacteria into the wound and the potential benefit of using sterile elastic outer bandages after amputation for vascular insufficiency.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D001458:Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology