• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.491-494
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• 2008

Purpose: When deciding a treatment plan in diabetic foot ulcer patients, predicting a possibility of healing wounds is important since not a few patients have poor general condition to get successful wound healing. This study was planned to find out if a serum collagen level can be used as a predictor for healing wounds in diabetic foot patients. Methods: Fifty-seven patients, who visited our clinic from January to June, 2007 for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, were included in this study. Serum levels of type I collagen were checked using carboxy terminal type I propeptide kits. Simultaneously serum levels of vitamin C and iron, cofactors of collagen synthesis, were checked. The patients were divided into two groups; a group of successfully healed wounds and the other of unhealed wounds. Serum levels of the parameters were compared between the 2 groups. Results: The serum level of collagen was $197.65{\pm}86.26ng/ml$ in a healed group and $87.91{\pm}28.76ng/ml$ in the unhealed group(p<0.05). The serum iron and vitamin C levels were did not show significant differences. Conclusion: The serum collagen level may predict healing or nonhealing wounds in diabetic foot ulcers.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 1999

In general, amputation has been performed in the treatment of diabetic foot which doesn't respond to the conservative treatment. We have evaluated the existence of post-operative infection, the morbidity of donor site, the degree of recovery of sensation, weight bearing ambulation and recurrence in the 6 cases(5 patients) of diabetic foot patients among the 230 cases of free flap transfer done in our department. In all cases of free flap transfer to diabetic foot, 100% of survival rate was shown. The sensory recovery was more than average of 40% of the area of the transferred flap, and two points discrimination was shown average of 5cm as a result. In all cases, no evidence of post-operative infection was discovered and the weight bearing gradually became easier, and at the average of 5 months after operation, the full weight bearing ambulation became possible. If the infection of diabetic foot and the level of blood sugar could be controlled successfully, the free flap transfer could be considered one of the treatment option to avoid amputation.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 2012

Purpose: The diabetic foot lesions are intractable, and aggravation often leads to amputation. None or minor amputation group was treated debridement or toe amputation and major amputation group was treated Ray, Lisfranc, Chopart, Below Knee and Above Knee amputation. We investigate the risk factors for major limb amputations among patients with diabetic foot lesion. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 73 diabetic foot lesion patients (83 diabetic foot lesions) treated at our department from January 2006 to December 2010. Non or Minor amputation group of 44 cases were treated with debridement or toe amputation. Major amputation group of 39 cases were treated with Ray, Lisfranc, Chopart, below or above Knee amputation. We investigated socioeconomic factors, diabetes mellitus related factors and wound related factors and laboratory factors. Statistical analysis was done by Students t-test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney's U test. Results: In our analysis, wound size, wound classification (Wagner classification, Brodsky classification), white blood cell counts, polymorphoneuclear neutrophil percentage, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein and albumin were risk factors for major amputation (p<0.05). Conclusion: Low education level, nutritional condition, premorbid activity level and progressed wound condition were observed in major amputation group compared with non or minor amputation group. In the major amputation group, higher white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level and lower albumin level were observed. Together with maintenance of adequate nutritional condition, early detection of lesions and foot care for early treatment is important. Therefore, active investigation with full risk evaluation of vascular complication is also important.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical manifestations, the patterns and the functional outcome of the amputations due to the diabetic foot complications. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients (50 feet) of diabetic foot amputations were followed for more than 1 year. The mean age was 62.5 years, and the mean follow-up period was 46 months. Retrospective analysis was performed using chart review and interview with the patients. The outcome was assessed with modified AOFAS scale. Results: The diabetic foot lesions were infection in 45 feet, gangrene in 35 feet and ulcer in 15 feet. Toe amputation was most commonly performed procedure (23 cases) followed by below knee and ray amputation. Postoperative modified AOFAS score was average 51.5 points, and 94% were satisfied with outcome. Minor amputations showed better outcome than the major amputations. Conclusion: Overall postoperative functional outcome was encouraging with high patient satisfaction rate (94%). Better outcome was obtained with the minor amputations.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to present the clinical analysis of the results of lateral arm free flap for small sized and infected diabetic foot ulcer around toes. From May 2006 to December 2007, Seven patients were included in our study. Average age was 52.8 years, six were males and one was female. All had infected diabetic foot ulcer and had exposures of bone or tendon structures. Ulcers were located around great toe in four patients, 4th toe in one and 5th toe in two. Three patients had osteomyelitis of metatarsal or phalanx. After appropriate control of infection by serial wound debridement and intravenous antibiotics, lateral arm flap was applied to cover remained soft tissue defects. Posterior radial collateral artery of lateral arm flap was reanastomosed to dorsalis pedis artery of recipient foot by end to side technique in all cases in order to preserve already compromised artery of diabetic foot. All flaps were designed over lateral epicondyle to get longer pedicle and averaged pedicle length was 8 cm. Two cases were used as a sensate flap to achieve protective sensation of foot. All flaps survived and provided satisfactory coverage of soft tissue defects on diabetc foot ulcers. All patients could achieve full weight-bearing ambulation. No patients has had recurrence of infection, ulceration and further toe amputations. There were three complications, a delayed wound healing of flap with surrounding tissue, a partial peripheral loss of flap and a numbness of forearm below donor site. All patients were satisfied with their clinical results, especially preserving their toes and could return to the previous activity levels. Lateral arm free flap could be recommend for infected diabetic foot ulcers around toes, to preserve toes, coverage of soft tissue defect and control of infection with low donor site morbidity.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.172-177
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• 2002

Objectives: To validate usefulness of the three phase bone scan for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot with soft tissue inflammation. Materials and Methods: Fourteen diabetic feet with soft tissue inflammation were included in this study. We took the bone biopsy from the site of hot uptake on the three phase bone scan but no abnormal findings on the plain radiographs. We observed whether the bone has evidence of osteomyelitis on the patholgic findings such as inflammatory cell infiltration within bone, dead bone, new bone formation and fibrosis. Results: Thirteen of fourteen cases (92.8%) were compatible with osteomyelitis on the pathologic criteria. Inflammatory cell infiltration within bone was observed in thirteen cases, dead bone in twelve cases. new bone formation in four cases. fibrosis in eight cases. All of the four findings were observed in three cases. Conclusion: In the diabetic foot with soft tissue inflammation, the osteomyelitis should be included in differential diagnosis if the lesion reveals increased uptake on three phase bone scan, even though the lesion does not show any abnormal findings on the plain radiographs.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.346-350
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• 2010

Purpose: Diagnosis of diabetic foot infection is sometimes difficult, since the classical inflammatory signs and leukocytosis may be absent due to the decreased host immune response in diabetics. Therefore inflammatory blood markers, such as white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been commonly needed to confirm the diagnosis of infection. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of WBC, ESR and CRP for detection of diabetic foot infection. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were taken from 113 patients with diabetic foot ulcers admitted from June 2007 to April 2009. Diabetic foot infection was diagnosed according to the microbiological culture from soft tissue and bone specimens. Reference values of tests were 4500-11000 /${\mu}L$ for WBC count, 0-20 mm/hr for ESR, and 0-5 mg/L for $CRP^{13,14}$. Sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values of laboratory tests were calculated and analysed. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was also created. Results: There was a significant difference in WBC, ESR, and CRP between infectious group and noninfectious group (p<0.05). The sensitivity of WBC>11,000 /${\mu}L$ ESR > 20 mm/hr, and CRP > 5 mg/L was 30%, 96%, and 84%. The specificity was 86%, 14%, and 50% for WBC, ESR, and CRP, respectively. Positive predictive value was 88%, 78%, and 84%, and negative predictive value was 28%, 50%, and 50% respectively. The areas under the ROC curve for WBC, ESR and CRP were 0.72, 0.75, and 0.78 respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we conclude that CRP is more useful method in predicting and diagnosing infection than WBC, ESR in diabetic foot ulcer patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.136-138
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• 2003

Purpose : A clinical case of diabetic foot-wound repair using Hirudo medicinalis therapy and its application is reported and discussed. Methods : The subject was a sixty-six-year-old woman diagnosed with a non-healing wound indicating the amputation of her right diabetic foot. Instead, Hirudo medicinalis therapy was performed twelve times over forty days, twice a week. The transition of wound closure was observed with the naked eye, and the plethysmogram was measured at the beginning and end of the treatment period. Results : The wound contracted with decreased exudate, collagen-like connective tissue sprouted, and then the wound gradually closed. The initial value (-0.08) of the dicrotic elastic index rose to -0.03. Conclusion : Hirudo medicinalis therapy had a positive effect on the wound repair, without a negative effect on the circulation, allowing the foot to be saved. It is necessary to investigate its wound repair mechanism for the further development of the Sahyul method.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.132-137
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• 2002

Diabetes is a controllable disease, not a curable disease. If Diabetic patients do not regularly monitor themselves, they run risk of diabetic complications that cannot be reversed or treated. Especially, if the patients have high blood suger level, a cardiovascular disease, or poor blood circulation, there immune system will not function, and thus making the patient more susceptible to infection. Eventually, the patient will have to undergo amputation. The case is a report about a Diabetic patient with foot ulcers. The patient was treated by Taeumin Bopyewontang and the foot ulcers were improved.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.159-164
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to confirm the effect of antiplatelet drugs in diabetic peripheral vasculopathy in diabetic foot patients. Materials and Methods: We designed a retrospective study in diabetic foot patients with diabetic peripheral vasculopathy. From October 2007 to December 2013, 278 cases in 139 patients who took antiplatelet drugs over at least a six-month period were included in this study. We categorized these patients according to the type of drug used. The efficacy of antiplatelet drugs was evaluated using anklebrachial index (ABI) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Results: Only the aspirin group showed a statistically significant increase of ABI after antiplatelet therapy ($1.10{\pm}0.12$ to $1.12{\pm}0.11$). In addition, only the cilostazol group showed a statistically significant decrease of PWV after antiplatelet therapy ($1,701.20{\pm}396.56$ to $1,627.42{\pm}324.98$). Conclusion: Aspirin and cilostazol may be used in treatment of diabetic peripheral vasculopathy, whereas dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel has no specific benefits in diabetic peripheral vasculopathy.