HYPERBARIC-OXYGEN THERAPY FOR GAS-GANGRENE CASUALTIES IN THE LEBANON WAR, 1982

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 20  (4) , 323-326
Abstract
Four gas gangrene casualties from the Lebanon War, 1982 were treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Myonecrosis was diagnosed in 3 and intraabdominal spread of clostridial infection in 1. In all 4 cases, HBO treatment, in combination with meticulous but conservative surgical debridements and proper antibiotic coverage, was begun within 24 h of diagnosis. HBO therapy was terminated when bacteriostasis was attained, as evidenced by no further spread of myonecrosis and the alleviation of systemic toxic symptoms. All 4 patients recovered from the clostridial infection, but 1 died later from other causes. HBO therapy enhances the survival rate of patients with gas gangrene, lowers the anesthetic risk, allows for maximal tissue preservation and helps avoid radical mutilating surgery.

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