Postoperative clostridial infection. A case report.

The classic fulminating, rapidly progressive, and potentially lethal clostridial myonecrosis (CM), also known as gas gangrene, is a familiar entity. Nevertheless, individual experience with this dreaded disease is extremely rare or nonexistent. Clostridial cellulitis does not involve muscle necrosis and is associated with a lower mortality rate. Although still potentially limb threatening, clostridial cellulitis is a source of considerable morbidity. In a 13-year-old boy the symptoms did not appear until two weeks postoperatively. Definitive treatment was not instituted until five days later.