A Rare Case of Gas Gangrene after Upper Limb Fracture

Abstract

Introduction: Gas gangrene, is an aggressive and life-threatening necrotizing infection of soft tissues. We report a case of upper-limb trauma resulting in clostridial gas gangrene. Case Report: A 36-year-old healthy male presented to our department with a left humeral shaft fracture and an open elbow fracture. During surgery wound discharge, and diffuse crepitations due to gaseous accumulation were noted around the medial elbow and forearm. Debridement and fasciotomy were performed, and IV penicillin and clindamycin were administrated. The infection spread into adjacent soft tissues, requiring repeated surgical interventions and long-term IV antibiotics till resolution. Conclusion: Early and repeated debridements are imperative in traumatic gas gangrene, to preserve limb and function.

Keywords

• gas gangrene
• myonecrosis
• clostridium perfringens
• traumatic infection
• fracture
• upper limb