Hyperbaric oxygen treatment in gas-producing infections.

Thirty patients with gas-producing infections were treated with surgery, antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen during 1964-1977. Fourteen patients were infected with C. perfringens or C. septicum, 8 patients with B. fragilis or B. melaninogenicus, in 7 patients only aerobic bacteria were found, and in one patient no bacteria could be demonstrated. Thirteen patients had infections due to wounds, lacerations and/or compound fractures. Nine patients had gas-producing infection after surgery. Eight patients had abscesses and gas-producing infection. Of the 14 patients with clostridial infections, 2 patients died, and 6 underwent amputation. Four of the 8 patients with Bacteroides infection died, no amputation having been performed. Of the 7 patients in whom only aerobic bacteria were demonstrated, 3 patients died.