treatment

Last reviewed 08/2021

The key event in the treatment of this condition is early diagnosis.

Once the diagnosis is established:

  • expert help should be consulted

  • surgical treatment involves wide excision or amputation of affected tissue(s)

  • antibiotics:
    • high dose penicillin
    • metronidazole in addition

  • antitoxin:
    • widely used in wartime
    • doubtful value

  • hyperbaric oxygen:
    • to eradicate the required anaerobic environment
    • may be effective
    • requires special apparatus - if available it should be administered