Gas gangrene is most often caused by a bacterium called

Clostridium perfringens. It also can be caused by group A

streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio vulnificus.

Debridement
The debridement of an open fracture must be done in a thorough and systematic
manner so as to avoid leaving devitalized tissue or contamination behind. [18] The
skin edges of the traumatic wound should be trimmed to a healthy bleeding edge.
Loose subcutaneous fat is also removed, along with any severely contused or
noncontractile muscle. To ensure adequate debridement, traumatic wounds must
be extended and muscle compartments opened and explored.
The removal of devitalized tissue is not limited to the soft tissues; bone should also
be removed if it is free of soft-tissue attachment. Major articular fragments may be
an exception to this rule; they should be retained whenever possible to allow for
attempts at fixation and restoration of joint stability and motion. In general, the goal
is to remove damaged tissue that would serve as a breeding ground for bacteria,
without creating extensive additional surgical trauma by unnecessary periosteal
stripping or undermining of the skin flaps.
In high-energy cases, it is often necessary to perform multiple debridements so as
to adequately remove tissue that may evolve after the time of the initial operative
inspection. In principle, it is best to avoid infection by removing devitalized bone
and muscle and then to deal with later reconstruction by using bone grafting and
soft-tissue flaps in an aseptic environment.