Gas Gangrene

HBOT for Gas Gangrene

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a critical treatment for gas gangrene (clostridial myonecrosis), a severe and rapidly progressing soft tissue infection caused by anaerobic bacteria.

For gas gangrene, HBOT works through several key mechanisms:

  • The high oxygen concentration creates a toxic environment for anaerobic bacteria, which cannot survive in oxygen-rich conditions.

  • Increased oxygen levels significantly reduce the production of bacterial toxins that cause tissue destruction.

  • High oxygen concentrations boost neutrophil and macrophage activity, improving the body's ability to fight infection.

  • The increased atmospheric pressure allows oxygen to penetrate deeper into infected tissues, supporting wound healing and preventing further spread of the infection.

HBOT is typically used as an adjunct to surgical debridement and antibiotic treatment.. Early intervention is crucial, as gas gangrene can rapidly progress and become life-threatening. By combining these therapeutic effects, hyperbaric oxygen therapy plays a vital role in managing gas gangrene, reducing mortality rates, and limiting the extent of tissue damage.