Gangrene is a condition of one or more part (s) of the body, characterized by the cessation of blood flow. Amputation of the affected tissue, or limb, may be necessary in more severe cases of the disease.

Gangrene is characterized by an interruption of blood flow to certain parts of the body. The consequences can be more or less important, with a risk of amputation in the most extreme cases. Each part of the body can be affected by the development of gangrene, however, the parts most often affected are: toes, feet, fingers or even hands.

The origins of gangrene can be diverse: following surgery, or prolonged hospitalization, or even in the context of a pathology affecting the blood circulation.

Gangrene develops when the blood supply is reduced in one or more areas of the body.

It can appear after surgery, as part of an infection or if the patient has a pathology related to blood circulation problems.

The different forms of gangrene

• dry gangrene, when blood flow is suddenly ‘blocked’ to one part of the body
• wet gangrene, following a post-surgical period combined with a bacterial infection
• gas gangrene, growing deeper within the affected tissue. The gas produced is from an infection.
• facial necrosis, caused by a large bacterial infection that can quickly spread to other tissues
• internal gangrene, defined by the stopping of blood circulation within an organ itself, generally the intestines, the bilary vesicle or even the appendix.

Each individual can be affected by the development of gangrene, particularly following surgery.

The elderly, obese, diabetic, or presenting all types of vascular diseases, are more exposed to the risk of developing gangrene.

The people most at risk of developing this type of pathology are therefore:

• the people diabetics
• patients with atherosclerosis
• people with underlying vascular disease
• patients with the syndrome or Raynaud’s disease
• individuals with a weakened immune system, due to the development of cancer, infection with VIH (SIDA), malnutrition, obesity, kidney disease or the elderly.

Gangrene that is not taken care of quickly can lead to amputation of the affected limb by stopping blood flow. Nevertheless, this complication concerns the most severe cases of the disease.

The clinical signs and symptoms most commonly associated with gangrene are:

• visible stiffness and swelling in the affected area
• loss of sensitivity and severe pain in the gangrenous area
• the appearance of blisters or even ulcers
• cold, pale skin over the affected area

In some cases, the affected limb may feel heavy and a cracking of the skin may be related.

In the context of an infectious origin, other signs may also appear:

• a feverish state
• loss of appetite
• increased heart rate (tachycardia) and breathing
• dizziness and vertigo

Without proper care and treatment, the affected tissue will begin to die. The affected area will then change color from white, to increasingly dark red to gradually darken.

Many cases of gangrene can be prevented, especially through prevention.

Prevention then involves identifying the underlying causes that can lead to the development of such conditions: obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc.

Stopping smoking, reducing fatty acids in the diet or even regular physical activity make it possible in particular to limit the risk of gangrenous disease.

The faster the gangrene is taken care of and the faster the appropriate treatment is put in place, the less risk of amputation is present.

In the setting of an infection, antibiotic therapy is usually combined with the treatment of gangrene.

In the context of a consequent gangrene, the surgical act is generally necessary, initially in order to revascularize the affected area. In a second, testifying to the amputation.