A 58-year-old man on ICU develops hospital-acquired Clostridium perfringens gas gangrene of his right thigh following a traumatic wound. He has crepit...

Question

A 58-year-old man on ICU develops hospital-acquired Clostridium perfringens gas gangrene of his right thigh following a traumatic wound. He has crepitus, rapidly spreading erythema, and systemic toxicity (HR 140, BP 70/40, lactate 10 mmol/L). What is the most critical immediate intervention?

Accepted Answer

Emergency surgical debridement (fasciotomy and debridement of necrotic tissue) combined with high-dose IV antibiotics (benzylpenicillin plus clindamycin)

Answer

IV antibiotics alone - high-dose IV benzylpenicillin plus IV clindamycin

Answer

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Answer

CT scan of the thigh before any intervention

Answer

Wound care and dressing changes only

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Gas Gangrene

A 58-year-old man on ICU develops hospital-acquired Clostridium perfringens gas gangrene of his right thigh following a traumatic wound. He has crepitus, rapidly spreading erythema, and systemic toxicity (HR 140, BP 70/40, lactate 10 mmol/L). What is the most critical immediate intervention?