Clostridial Gas Gangrene ‐ A Rare but Deadly Infection: Case series and Comparison to Other Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

Abstract

Both GG and NF need full-scale surgical, antibiotic, and intensive care treatment, especially within the first days. Among patients with NSTI, those with clostridial GG have a significantly increased mortality risk due to early septic shock caused by clostridial toxins. In the initial stages, clinical differences are hardly detectable. Immediate surgical debridement is the key to successful therapy for NSTI and needs to be performed as early as possible. However, patients should be treated in a center with an experienced interdisciplinary intensive care team based on a predetermined treatment plan.