Salvage liver transplantation for hepatic gas gangrene

J Gastrointest Surg. 2012 Sep;16(9):1802-4. doi: 10.1007/s11605-012-1917-3. Epub 2012 Jun 6.

Abstract

Hepatic gas gangrene is an uncommon situation mainly due to bacterial infection by Clostridium perfringens. It remains a life-threatening condition associated with a high mortality rate. Quick diagnosis and aggressive therapy including liver transplantation should be proposed to improve the outcome. This report describes a rare case of hepatic gas gangrene on native liver, secondary to iatrogenic hepatic artery thrombosis and instrumental biliary tree infection, which was successfully treated by liver transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm / complications
  • Biliary Tract Diseases / complications
  • Clostridium perfringens*
  • Gas Gangrene / diagnosis
  • Gas Gangrene / etiology
  • Gas Gangrene / microbiology
  • Gas Gangrene / surgery*
  • Hepatic Artery
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / diagnosis
  • Liver Diseases / etiology
  • Liver Diseases / surgery*
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Salvage Therapy
  • Thrombosis / complications