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Gas gangrene infections of the small intestine, colon and rectum

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Summary

Thirty-three cases of gas gangrene infections originating from the small bowel, colon, and rectum are reviewed. The distinction between localized and diffuse, spreading, type of infection is made. The overall mortality rate was 42.4 per cent and mortality was highest for infections following elective bowel resections.

Treatment consisted of antibiotics and surgical debridement, with hyperbaric oxygen used as adjunctive therapy for the more serious cases. The importance of early recognition of clostridial infection is stressed as the key to improved survival.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, Inc., Fifth and Portaland South, 55415, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Claude R. Hitchcock M.D., Ph.D. (Chief of Surgery) & Melvin P. Bubrick M.D.

  2. the Departmet of Surgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Fifth and Portland South, 55415, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Claude R. Hitchcock M.D., Ph.D. (Chief of Surgery) & Melvin P. Bubrick M.D.

Authors
  1. Claude R. Hitchcock M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. Melvin P. Bubrick M.D.
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Additional information

Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Francisco, California, May 4 to 8, 1975.

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Hitchcock, C.R., Bubrick, M.P. Gas gangrene infections of the small intestine, colon and rectum. Dis Colon Rectum 19, 112–119 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02590862

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02590862

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