| Revision as of 23:06, 18 August 2004 editJfdwolff (talk | contribs)Administrators81,547 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 02:42, 8 September 2004 edit undoShaunMacPherson (talk | contribs)Pending changes reviewers3,043 edits Gangrene is not just caused by 'infection', but other things as well.Next edit → | ||
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| '''Gangrene''' is the ] and subsequent decay of ]s caused by ], also known as tissue necrosis. It is most commonly the result of critically insufficient ] supply sometimes caused by an injury and subsequent contamination of the wound with bacteria. This condition is most common in the extremities. | '''Gangrene''' is the ] and subsequent decay of ]s caused by many number of things including ], ] and lack of ] flow. also known as tissue necrosis. It is most commonly the result of critically insufficient ] supply sometimes caused by an injury and subsequent contamination of the wound with bacteria. This condition is most common in the extremities. | ||
| One specific example of gangrene is so called ''diabetic foot'' that can be seen in long-standing complicated ]. It is caused by a combination of arterial ischemia, injury and poor healing that is rather common in diabetics. | One specific example of gangrene is so called ''diabetic foot'' that can be seen in long-standing complicated ]. It is caused by a combination of arterial ischemia, injury and poor healing that is rather common in diabetics. | ||
Revision as of 02:42, 8 September 2004
Gangrene is the death and subsequent decay of body tissues caused by many number of things including infection, thrombosis and lack of blood flow. also known as tissue necrosis. It is most commonly the result of critically insufficient blood supply sometimes caused by an injury and subsequent contamination of the wound with bacteria. This condition is most common in the extremities.
One specific example of gangrene is so called diabetic foot that can be seen in long-standing complicated diabetes. It is caused by a combination of arterial ischemia, injury and poor healing that is rather common in diabetics.
The most common medical treatment for irreversible gangrene is amputation.
In the years before antibiotics, fly maggots were commonly used to treat wounds to prevent or stop gangrene, as they would only consume dead flesh. Their use largely died out after the introduction of antibiotics. In recent years, however, maggot treatment has regained some credibility and is sometimes employed to great effect in cases of chronic tissue necrosis.
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