Unfallchirurgie
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In spite of surgical, intensive, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the gas gangrene is still one of the most dangerous surgical infections. In recent literature, the average mortality is about 50%. The patients die within a few days because of general intoxication. ⋯ An early diagnosis of the gas gangrene is of primary importance. As early as a gas gangrene is suspected because of typical local findings and clinical symptoms, therapeutic measures are immediately necessary (surgery, intensive treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy). A transport of more than six hours with prolonged interruption of the treatment will decrease the chances of success even in a "gas gangrene therapy centre".
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With its judgement of May 11, 1982, the Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Law) has decided that it is primarily up to the doctor to choose the therapy method by which a person injured during an accident has to be treated. The patient must be informed only if there are different risks for him involved in different methods, e.g. if the doctor wants to apply a method criticized again and again in the literature. An information that a smaller hospital doesn't eventually correspond to the standard of a specialized hospital is only necessary if adequate treatment and care is not possible in the hospital where the patient is admitted.