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Gangrena - Treatment

Tratamiento:

La gangrena requiere evaluación y tratamiento urgentes. En general, se debe extirpar el tejido muerto para permitir la cicatrización del tejido viviente circundante y prevenir la infección posterior. Dependiendo del área que tenga gangrena, el estado general de la persona y la causa de la gangrena, el tratamiento puede incluir:

  • Amputación de la parte del cuerpo que tenga gangrena
  • Una operación de emergencia para encontrar y extirpar el tejido muerto
  • Una operación para mejorar el suministro sanguíneo al área
  • Antibióticos
  • Operaciones repetitivas para remover el tejido muerto (desbridamiento)
  • Tratamiento en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (para pacientes gravemente enfermos)

Pronóstico:

El pronóstico depende del lugar del cuerpo en donde esté la gangrena, de qué tanta gangrena haya y del estado general del paciente. Si el tratamiento se demora, la gangrena se extiende, o si la persona tiene otros problemas de salud significativos, puede morir.

Posibles complicaciones:

Las complicaciones dependen de la parte del cuerpo en donde esté la gangrena, de qué tanta gangrena haya, de su causa y del estado general de la persona. Las complicaciones pueden abarcar:

  • Discapacidad por la amputación o extirpación del tejido muerto
  • Cicatrización prolongada de la herida o la necesidad de cirugía reconstructiva, como un injerto de piel

Cuándo contactar a un profesional médico:

Llame de inmediato al médico si:

  • Una herida no sana o hay úlceras frecuentes en un área.
  • Un área de su cuerpo se torna de color azul o negro.
  • Se presenta secreción maloliente de cualquier herida en su cuerpo.
  • Tiene dolor persistente e inexplicable en un área.
  • Presenta fiebre persistente e inexplicable.
  • Reviewed last on: 8/24/2011
  • Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Andros G, Lavery LA. Diabetic foot ulcers. In: Cronenwett JL, Johnston W, eds. Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 112.

Zhang WW, Abou-Zamzam AM Jr. Lower extremity amputation: General considerations. In: Cronenwett JL, Johnston W, eds. Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 114.

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