Gangrene

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Gangrene requires urgent evaluation and treatment. In general, dead tissue should be removed to allow healing and prevent further infection. Depending on the area affected, the condition of the patient, and the cause of the gangrene, treatment may include:

• An emergency operation to explore or remove dead tissue
• Amputating the affected body part
• Repeated operations to remove dead tissue (debridement)
• An operation to improve blood supply to the area
• Antibiotics
• Treatment in the intensive care unit (for severely ill patients)

The outlook depends on the body part affected, the extent of gangrene, its cause, and the condition of the patient. The patient may die if treatment is delayed, the affected area is extensive, or the patient has other significant medical conditions.

Complications depend on the body part affected, the extent of gangrene, its cause, and the condition of the patient. Complications may include:

• Disability from amputation or removal of dead tissue
• Prolonged wound healing or the need for reconstructive surgery, such as skin grafting

Call your doctor immediately if:

• An area of your skin turns blue or black
• You have persistent, unexplained pain in an area
• You have persistent, unexplained fever
• A wound does not heal or there are frequent sores in an area
• There is foul-smelling discharge

Review Date: 07/17/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.