• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.216-220
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) below the knee as a treatment in diabetic foot gangrene. Materials and Methods: Between May 2003 and May 2006, angiography was performed in 35 diabetic foot gangrene classified as either Wagner grade IV or V. Infrapopliteal PTA was performed in 10 patients among them. Clinical success was defined as prevention of major amputation. Results: Among 25 patients who did not receive infrapopliteal PTA, the major amputation rate is 22% (in one arterial occlusion cases), 50% (in two arterial occlusion cases), 63% (in three arterial occlusion cases), respectively. Infrapopliteal PTA was successfully performed in 8 among 10 patients. Two patients were failed and undergone below-knee amputation. Toe amputation were performed in 2 patients with one arterial occlusion. Out of 6 patients with three arterial occlusions, toe amputations were performed in 4 patients and the other 2 patients were healed through debridement. Conclusion: As a first choice revascularization procedure for limb salvage in diabetic foot gangrene, infrapopliteal PTA can be one of treatment options.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.80-85
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report on the treatment of wound dressing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers in the dermatology clinic of Korean medicine. Methods : First, sufficient marginal resection of the ulcer and necrotic tissue on the foot of a patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy was performed. Inflammation was treated with Anti-inflammatory pharmacopuncture solution, and dressings were applied for one month using Cornu Cervi Parvum pharmacopuncture solution, and Haeboo ointment for granulation tissue formation and skin regeneration. Results : After 10 days of the treatment, the formation of new granulation tissue was observed in the necrotic tissue area, and the extent of the lesion decreased sharply from the 14th day. On the 40th day, epithelialization progressed so that the treatment was terminated, and complete keratinization of the site was observed at follow-up 3 weeks after the end of the treatment. Conclusions : In the treatment of wound dressings in diabetic foot ulcer patients, marginal resection treatment with the application of pharmacopuncture solution and herbal ointment showed good effect.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.335-342
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• 2023

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most serious complications of diabetes and are a source of reduced quality of life and financial burden for the people involved. For effective DFU management, an evidence-based treatment strategy that considers the patient's clinical context and wound condition is required. This treatment strategy should include conventional practices (surgical debridement, antibiotics, vascular assessment, offloading, and amputation) coordinated by interdisciplinary DFU experts. In addition, several adjuvant therapies can be considered for nonhealing wounds. In this narrative review, we aim to highlight the current trends in DFU management and review the up-to-date guidelines.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.328-334
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• 2023

An aging population and changes in dietary habits have increased the incidence of diabetes, resulting in complications such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). DFUs can lead to serious disabilities, substantial reductions in patient quality of life, and high financial costs for society. By understanding the etiology and pathophysiology of DFUs, their occurrence can be prevented and managed more effectively. The pathophysiology of DFUs involves metabolic dysfunction, diabetic immunopathy, diabetic neuropathy, and angiopathy. The processes by which hyperglycemia causes peripheral nerve damage are related to adenosine triphosphate deficiency, the polyol pathway, oxidative stress, protein kinase C activity, and proinflammatory processes. In the context of hyperglycemia, the suppression of endothelial nitric oxide production leads to microcirculation atherosclerosis, heightened inflammation, and abnormal intimal growth. Diabetic neuropathy involves sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathies. The interaction between these neuropathies forms a callus that leads to subcutaneous hemorrhage and skin ulcers. Hyperglycemia causes peripheral vascular changes that result in endothelial cell dysfunction and decreased vasodilator secretion, leading to ischemia. The interplay among these four preceding pathophysiological factors fosters the development and progression of infections in individuals with diabetes. Charcot neuroarthropathy is a chronic and progressive degenerative arthropathy characterized by heightened blood flow, increased calcium dissolution, and repeated minor trauma to insensate joints. Directly and comprehensively addressing the pathogenesis of DFUs could pave the way for the development of innovative treatment approaches with the potential to avoid the most serious complications, including major amputations.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.148-155
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• 2020

Purpose: Minor foot amputations are performed for recurrent or infected ulcers or osteomyelitis of the diabetic feet. Patients may require a large amount of bone resection for wound closure. On the other hand, this results in more foot dysfunction and a longer time to heal. The authors describe fillet flap coverage to avoid more massive resection in selected cases. This study shows the results of fillet flap coverage for the closure of diabetic foot minor amputation. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective case series of patients who underwent forefoot and midfoot amputation and fillet flap for osteomyelitis or nonhealing ulcers between March 2013 to November 2017. In addition, the patient comorbidities, hospital days, complications, and duration to complete healing were evaluated. Results: Fourteen fillet flap procedures were performed on 12 patients. Of those, two had toe necrosis, nine had forefoot necrosis, and three had midfoot necrosis. Eleven forefoot amputations and three midfoot amputations were performed. Among forefoot necrosis after a fillet flap, three patients had revision surgery for partial necrosis of the flap, and two patients had an additional amputation. Two patients had additional amputations among those with midfoot necrosis. By the fillet flap, the amputation size was reduced as much as possible. The mean initial healing days, complete healing days, and hospital stay was 70.6 days, 129.0 days, and 60.0 days, respectively. Conclusion: The fillet flap facilitates restoration of the normal foot contour and allows salvage of the metatarsal or toe.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2018

Purpose: Diabetic foot gangrene has a high morbidity rate and a great influence on the quality of life. Amputation is an appropriate treatment if conservative treatment is impossible according to the severity of gangrene and infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the postoperative outcome. Materials and Methods: From February 2013 to April 2016, among 55 patients with diabetic foot gangrene, who require surgical treatment, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed on patients with an ankle brachial index (0.9 and stenosis) 50% on angiographic computed tomography. The study subjects were 49 patients, comprised of 37 males (75.5%) and 12 females (24.5%). The mean age of the patients was $70.0{\pm}9.6years$. The treatment results were followed up according to the position and length of the lesion and the changes during the follow-up period. Results: As a result of angiography, there were 13 cases of atherosclerotic lesions in the proximal part, 11 cases in the distal part and 25 cases in both the proximal and distal parts. As a result of the follow-up after angiography, in 13 patients, the operation was not performed and only follow-up and dressing were performed around the wound. Sixteen patients underwent debridement for severe gangrene lesions and 20 patients, in whom the gangrene could not be treated, underwent amputation (ray amputation or metatarsal amputation, below knee amputation). Conclusion: Preoperative percutaneous angioplasty in diabetic foot gangrene patients with peripheral vascular occlusive disease is simple, and 59.2% of the patients with diabetic foot gangrene could be treated by conservative treatment or debridement.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2004

Purpose: To investigate the characteristics of the patients and therapeutic shoes for diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Forty two diabetic patients who had their own therapeutic shoes which were prescribed somewhere else were studied from March 2003 to December 2003. There were 27 males and 15 females, and the mean age was 62.1 years (range, 49-72 years). Duration of diabetes was average 14 years (range, $6{\sim}30$ years), all had type 2 diabetes. Sensation was examined with 5.07 nylon monofilament. The route of purchasing the shoes, compliance to the prescribed shoes were investigated by interview. The shape of shoe, stiffness of upper, conformity of insole to the shape of the foot were recorded. In-shoe plantar pressure was measured in 15 patients. Results: Eighteen patients were insensate to the monofilament. Seven patients did not wear the therapeutic shoes, and only 18 of 35 patients were wearing the therapeutic shoes more than 6 hours a day. The shoes of 17 patients were prescribed by medical doctor and the rest were purchased by the recommendation of acquaintances or advertisement. Ulcer recurred in four of five patients to whom the shoe was prescribed by medical doctor and the cause of three recurrences were evident by just observing the foot and shoe. The therapeutic shoes were made from 11 different makers. Eight shoes were adequate for diabetic patients with respect to the material, shape of insole, type of shoe. In-shoe plantar pressure was examined in 15 patients and was less than 300 kPa in all patients. Conclusion: The therapeutic shoes for the diabetic patients need to be prescribed by medical doctor for selective patients with neuropathy or previous history of ulcer and follow-up examination is important to monitor the compliance of the patients and adequacy of the shoes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2013

Background For patients with neuropathy, vasculopathy, and impairment of wound healing, treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer poses many challenges. A large number of dermal analogues have been invented in an effort to overcome these challenges. Matriderm, a dermal analogue, is made from bovine collagen and elastin. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of Matriderm for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, in comparison with skin grafting. Methods Sixty patients with diabetic foot ulcer were included in this prospective study. The average age of the patients, who had type II diabetes mellitus, was 58 years old. The patients were allocated to an experimental or control group with their consents. The patients were selected with their consent for inclusion in an experimental group and a control group. Patients in the experimental group received a Matriderm appliance and a split-thickness skin graft, while those in the control group received only a split-thickness skin graft. Results A shorter hospitalization period (7.52 weeks) was observed in the experimental group than in the control group (9.22 weeks), and a shorter period of time (8.61 weeks) was required for complete healing, compared with the control group (12.94 weeks), with statistical significance (P<0.05). A higher elasticity ratio of the affected side to the non-affected side was observed in the experimental group, compared with the control group (P<0.01). Conclusions Matriderm enables effective healing and improves elasticity in treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.198-204
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• 2006

Many clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of the platelet releasate or the platelet gel on chronic wounds. However, the patient's own blood had to be aspirated and processed to make the platelet releasate or a platelet gel. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of platelet concentrates from the blood bank for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. To obtain the basic data of the PDGF-BB content in platelet concentrates supplied from the blood bank, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay quantification was performed. On average, 8.5 pg of the PDGF-BB was released per 1 million platelets. Sixteen patients with diabetic foot ulcers ranging from 1.0 to $18.0cm^2$(mean, $6.1cm^2$) in size were treated. The platelet concentrates was centrifuged and the precipitantte was mixed with 1 ml of fibrinogen. The platelets and fibrinogen mixture was dispersed on to the ulcer lesions. The liquid platelet and fibrinogen mixture was then sealed using 0.3-1.0 ml of thrombin and moisture dressing was performed. The procedure was repeated every one or two weeks until wound closure. Time required for complete healing ranged from 3 to 12 weeks after treatment (mean, 7.3 weeks). Patient satisfaction was also very positive. In this study, the use of platelet concentrates from the blood bank was found to be effective in treating diabetic foot ulcers.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.142-147
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• 2020

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcers are closely related to body surface heat, which can be affected easily by temperature differences. This study examined the correlation between the healing process of diabetic wounds and abnormal diurnal temperature through an animal study. Materials and Methods: Rats in the abnormal diurnal temperature group and control group were given a 10 mm sized full-thickness skin ulcer. Wound size progression was observed in both groups. H&E and Masson's trichrome staining was performed at 14 days after wound formation, and the number of vessels per unit area and histology analysis were performed. The changes in the ulcer were measured through three dimensional cross-section area using INSIGHT^® devices. Results: The wound recovery period (granulation ingrowing) was 24 days in the abnormal diurnal temperature model and 20 days in the control group. The thickness of scar tissue was 402±23.19 ㎛ in the control group and 424.5±36.94 ㎛ in the diurnal temperature model. Neovascular formation was counted as 5.1±0.97 for the control group and 4.16±0.94 for the diurnal temperature model group. Conclusion: Delayed and inferior diabetic wound healing was observed in the abnormal diurnal temperature group, which was characterized by greater diurnal variations than the typical growth environment.