GANGRENE

MEDICAL DEFFINITION:

Gangrene: The death of body tissue due to the

loss of blood supply to that tissue, sometimes
permitting bacteria to invade it and accelerate
its decay.
 NNNNNNNNN
 Gangrene is a complication of necrosis “ N cell
death N ” characterized by the decay of body
tissues, which become black and appearing
“rotten”.
 It is caused by infection or ischemia, such as a
thrombosis.
 GANGRENE… WHAT IS IT???
 It is usually the result of critically insufficient
blood supply.

 Often associated with diabetes and long-term

smoking.

 Condition is most common in the lower

extremities.
BASICALLY YOUR BLOOD SUPPLY GETS CUT
OFF AND YOUR TISSUE DECIDES TO DIE
 TYPES OF GANGRENE
 DRY GANGRENE

 WET GANGRENE

 GAS GANGRENE
 DRY GANGRENE
 Dry gangrene begins at the distal part of the
limb due to ischemia and often occurs in the
toes and feet of elderly patients due to
arteriosclerosis.
 Dry gangrene spreads slowly until it reaches
the point where the blood supply is inadequate
to keep tissue viable.
 The affected part is dry, shrunken and dark
black, resembling mummified flesh.
 DRY GANGRENE
 If the blood flow is interrupted for a reason
other than severe bacterial infection, the result
is a case of dry gangrene.

 People with impaired peripheral blood flow,

such as diabetics, are at greater risk of
contracting dry gangrene.
 DRY GANGRENE
 The early signs are a dull ache and sensation of
coldness in the affected are.

 If caught early, the process can sometimes be

reversed by vascular surgery.

 If necrosis sets in, the affected tissue must be

removed and treated like a case of wet
gangrene.
DRY GANGRENE
DRY GANGRENE
DRY GANGRENE

YUCKY!!!
 WET GANGRENE
 Wet gangrene occurs in naturally moist tissue
and organs such as the mouth, bowel, lungs,
cervix, and vulva.
 Bedsores occurring on body parts such as the
sacrum, buttocks and heels (not in “moist”
areas) are also categorized as wet gangrene
infections.
 WET GANGERNE
 In wet gangrene, the tissue is infected by
microorganisms, which cause tissue to swell
and emit a fowl order.
 Wet gangrene usually develops rapidly due to
blockage of venous and/or arterial blood flow.
 The affected part is saturated with stagnant
blood which promotes the rapid growth of
bacteria.
 WET GANGRENE
 The toxic products formed by bacteria are
absorbed causing systemic manifestation of
bacteria and finally death.

 The affected part is soft, putrid, rotten

and dark.

 The darkness in wet gangrene occurs due to the

same mechanism as in dry gangrene.
WET GANGREEN
WET GANGRENE
WET GANGRENE
 GAS GANGRENE
 Gas gangrene is a bacterial infection that
produces gas within tissues.


It is a N deadly N form of gangrene usually
caused by bacteria.

 Infection spreads rapidly as the gases produced

by bacteria expand and effect healthy tissue.
 GAS GANGRENE
 Gas gangrene is caused by a environmental
bacteria.

 These Bacteria are mostly found in soil.

 These environmental bacteria enter the muscle

through a wound and cause necrotic tissue
and powerful toxins.
 GAS GANGRENE
 These toxins destroy nearby tissue, generating
gas at the same time.
 Gas gangrene can cause necrosis, gas
production, and sepsis.
 Progression to toxemia and shock is often very
rapid.
 Because of its ability to quickly spread to
surrounding tissues, gas gangrene should be
treated as a medical emergency.
GAS GANENE
GAS GANGRENE
GAS GANGRENE
GAS GANGRENE
 SPECIFIC GANGRENES
 Noma is a gangrene of the face.

 Necrotizing fasciitis affects the deeper layers of

the skin.

 Fournier gangrene usually affects the male

genitals.
 NOMA
Is a gangrenous disease leading to tissue
destruction of the face, especially the mouth
and cheek.
Risk factors include severe protein mal
nutrition and unsanitary conditions.
NOMA
NOMA
 NECROTIZING FASCIITIS
 Commonly known as flesh-eating disease or
flesh-eating bacteria.
 Rare infection of the deeper layers of skin and
easily spread within the subcutaneous tissue
NECROTIZING FASCIITIS
NECROTIZING FASCIITIS
NECROTIZING FASCIITIS
 FOURNIER GANGRENE
 A type of necrotizing infection usually
affecting the male genitals.
 In the majority of cases it is a mixed infection
caused by both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria
FOURNIER GANGRENE
FOURNIER GANGRENE
FOURNIER GANGRENE

OUCH!!!
 TREATMENT
 As early as 1028 fly maggots were commonly
used prevent or arrest necrotic spread.
 Some species of maggots consume only dead
flesh, leaving nearby living tissue unaffected.
 This practice largely died out after the
introduction of antibiotics.
 Maggot therapy has regained some credibility
and is sometimes employed with great efficacy
in cases of chronic tissue necrosis.
MAGGOT TREATMENT
 Repeated debribement.
 Thorough irrigation
 Amputation
 Reconstructive surgery
BOILS/FURUNCULE AND
CARBUNCLES!
What are Boils and Carbuncles?
 Boils and Carbuncles are painful, pus-filled bumps that form
under your skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more
of your hair follicles.

 Boils usually start as red tender lumps.

 A Carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form a connected area of

infection under the skin.
 Who can get boils and
carbuncles?
 A boil or carbuncle can occur in anyone.
 They are uncommon in children and the
majority of people who get them are teenagers
and young adults.
 However, you have a higher risk of developing
a boil or carbuncle if you have eczema, scabies,
if you are obese, have a poor immune system,
an illness making you frail or unwell, or if you
are a carrier of staphylococcal bacteria.
As you can see on the right is a carbuncle (cluster of boils
that are puss-filled, and on the left is a boil alone.
BOIL CARBUNCLE
 Where can you find boils and
carbuncles??
 Carbuncles are normally found around the
neck and shoulder region.
 Boils can be found on the face, scalp, neck,
armpits, lower back, thigh, groin, or
buttocks.
Boils on the neck and buttocks
 What are the signs and symptoms of
 boils
Symptoms andand
for boils carbuncles??
carbuncles include:
 Redness
 Swelling (lump)
 Tenderness to touch or severe pain
 A lump filled with white or yellowish pus
forming a head or tip.
 The symptoms of a carbuncle are the same but
more severe than a boil.
 Home treatment may include…
 Put warm, moist compresses on the boil or
carbuncle for 1o to 15 minutes for at least 3
times a day.
 Clean the sore with antiseptic soap and protect
it with a loose gauze.
 For pain relief you can take tylenol, or
ibuprophen.
 By doing these steps it will help reduce the risk
of spreading infection.
 TREATMENT
 ANTIBIOTICS
 INCISION AND DRAINAGE
 DRESSING