Diagnosis and Management of Clostridium Perfringens Sepsis and Uterine Gas Gangrene

Abstract

The progression of Clostridium perfringens endomyometritis to gas gangrene is a rare, but greatly feared complication in the obstetrical patient. While endometritis following cesarean delivery is a common complication, recognition of C. perfringens as the pathogen as well as its progression to gas formation in the myometrium is essential to the survival of the patient. We present a patient that we recently cared for, and review the bacteriology, clinical diagnosis, and management.