wet gangrene
Last reviewed 08/2021
Wet gangrene occurs when an area of necrotic tissue becomes infected. The tissue become boggy and ulcerated. The infection may begin to spread proximally into otherwise healthy tissue.
The affected part is swollen and discoloured. Often the epidermis is raised in blebs. There may be crepitus due to infection by gas-forming organisms.
Wet gangrene often requires urgent surgical treatment.