Gangrene refers to the death of tissue due to inadequate blood supply and is a sign of critical limb ischaemia. Gangrene may be dry (absence of infection) or it may be wet (in the presence of infection). Gas gangrene is clostridial myonecrosis due to clostridia perfringens and clostridia septicum.
😷 There will be a demarcated line between necrotic and living tissue. The tissue will be black and may slough.
🧰 To manage dry gangrene, we need to restore blood supply ± amputation.
For more information, take a look at the notes on peripheral vascular disease.
Wet gangrene and gas gangrene will not be in the remit of these notes as these are of infectious aetiology and not vascular.