Introduction - Gangrene in pathology is the death of tissue due to lack of blood supply or a serious bacterial infection. Tissue becomes depleted of oxygen and tissue dies. It’s a form of necrosis where tissue dies and decomposes often leading to severe discoloration and potential infection.

Typically, the acral skin of the hand and foot accompanies numbness, pain, coolness, swelling and the skin colour changes to reddish black. When severe infection is associates, fever and sepsis may follow.

Risk factor of gangrene may include diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, smoking, major trauma, alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, renal insufficiency, immunosuppression, AIDS, drug abuse and malnutrition.