Gangrene or gangrene (plural the gangrenes; Greek γάγγραινα (gángraina), “feeding ulcer,” literally “the wound that eats away”; ICD-10-GM R02.-: Gangrene, not elsewhere classified) refers to tissue death due to reduced blood flow or other damage.
According to etiology (cause), the following forms of gangrene can be distinguished:
- Gangrene due to atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis) (ICD-10-GM I70.25: Pelvic-leg type, with gangrene).
- Gangrene in diabetes mellitus (ICD-10-GM E10.5: Diabetes mellitus, type 1, With peripheral vascular complications, Diabetic: Gangrene; ICD-10-GM E11.5: Diabetes mellitus, type 2, With peripheral vascular complications, Diabetic: Gangrene; ICD-10-GM E14.5: Unspecified diabetes mellitus, With peripheral vascular complications, Diabetic: Gangrene)
- Gangrene associated with other peripheral vascular disease (ICD-10-GM I73.-: Other peripheral vascular disease).
According to morphology, gangrene can be divided into:
- Dry gangrene – drying and shrinkage of the tissue.
- Wet gangrene – infection of dry gangrene with putrefactive bacteria.
In the majority of cases, gangrene occurs on the extremities, with the feet more commonly affected than the hands.
Gangrene can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Differential diagnoses”).
Course and prognosis: Gangrene generally heals poorly. Open ulcers (wounds) and necrosis (tissue damage due to the death of cells) often develop. In addition to symptomatic therapy, causal (cause-related) therapy is of primary importance. In bacterial gangrene, infection rapidly leads to necrosis (within hours or a few days). As soon as sepsis (blood poisoning) occurs, the condition becomes critical. In this case, treatment must be given as soon as possible (antibiotic administration).
