• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2001

Diabetic foot ulcer is a serious complication which result from long-standing diabetes. Especially, severe infected diabetic foot ulcer results in unwanted lower extremity amputation. The diabetic patient is considered the relative contraindication for microsurgery because of the severe peripheral vascular disease. Recently, microvascular free tissue transfer technique applied to diabetic foot ulcer. It is well known that free tissue transfer provides immediate soft tissue coverage and control of infection. So it is possible that preservation of the lower extremity through free tissue transfer. A retrospective study of diabetic patients who had infected foot ulcer from 1999 to 2000 with foot defects reconstructed with free tissue transfer were reviewed. Thirteen patients were studied with mean follow-up of 12.7 months. There were two deaths during follow-up period. There were two failures after free flap surgery. All eleven survived patients were ambulatory. There was no recurrence of ulcer. No patient need amputation above the ankle joint. We have found that free tissue transfer for infected diabetic foot ulcer is very effective surgical technique. Careful patient selection and regular follow-up is important.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2008

Purpose: In a diabetic foot ulcer, superficial fungal infection of the foot may disrupt the skin integrity and provide an avenue for bacterial infection. The prevalence of fungal infection in diabetic foot ulcer has been reported as 12-30% in Caucasian patients. However, no data are available for Korean patients. The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of fungal infection in diabetic foot patients admitted in our clinic. Methods: This study included consecutive 30 diabetic foot ulcer patients(24 males and 6 females) admitted from May 2007 to July 2007. The mean age was 60.5 years. All patients underwent mycological examination including direct microscopic examination in KOH and culturing on slants and tubes with Sabouraud's glucose agar. Results: Clinical signs of presumed fungal infection, which were examined by dermatologists, were found in all patients included in this study. Direct microscopic examination was positive for the specimens of the skin and the toenails in 28(93.3%) and 25(83.3%) patients, respectively. In addition, culture result was positive for the specimens of the skin and the toenails in 5(16.73%) and 7(23.3%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of fungal infection in diabetic foot ulcer patients admitted in our clinic is much higher than that in Caucasian patients(83.3-93.3% vs 12-30%).

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.187-191
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• 2022

The author experienced a case of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) affecting the recovery of a chronic neuropathic diabetic foot ulcer combined with infection. A 65-year-aged male with uncontrolled diabetes presented with a Wagner grade 2 diabetic foot ulcer on his left forefoot of more than 2 weeks duration. Osteomyelitis, gangrene, and ischemia requiring acute intervention were absent. Although infection was controlled to a moderate degree, wound healing was unsatisfactory following surgical debridement and simple dressing. Therefore, intralesional autologous PRP injection was performed 5 times as an adjuvant regeneration therapy, and the recalcitrant ulcer healed in 3 months. Intralesional PRP injections are worthwhile as they promote wound regeneration, are evidence-based, safe, and can be easily performed in ambulatory care facilities.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.329-335
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• 2010

The extract from Hydnocarpi Semen (HS) has been used to treat leprosy and its anti-inflammatory activity has been reported. However, the effect of HS on the treatment of diabetic or peripheral ulcer is not well known. We therefore examined its wound healing effects on ulcer area in diabetic mice. GC and GC/MS analysis with the total extract of HS show that the main constituents of the extract are chaulmoogric acid, hydnocarpic acid, and gorlic acid. Whereas HS showed wound healing effect in diabetic ulcer, there was no hypoglycemic effect in diabetic mice. The treatment of HS extract significantly decreased the level of total WBC and neutrophils in mice compared to control mice. Cutting ulcer was induced by the round-shaped punch on the backside of diabetic mice and the extract of HS was given orally or topically. The wound area score significantly decreased after treatment of HS at dose of 50 mg/kg. The treatment of HS also induced the activation of macrophages and increased the production of IL-12 and TNF-$\alpha$ in macrophages, indicating that the wound healing by HS extract is associated with the inflammatory effect via the activation of macrophages. Our results suggest that HS extract can be a new therapeutic candidate for treatment of diabetic ulcer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.62-74
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of laser therapy for diabetic ulcer by using methods of systematic review. Methods : In this review, PubMed, Cochrane library, Web of Science, CNKI, CiNii, J-STAGE, NDSL and OASIS were used as the search engines. The search period is from the start date of the search engine to October 3, 2016. Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) using laser therapy for diabetic ulcer were searched and extracted by two independent researchers. Risk of bias(RoB) of Cochrane was used to assess methodological quality of studies. Results : Finally, five RCTs were selected. The follow-up period ranged from 15 days to 20 weeks. InGaAlP laser, GaAlAs laser and light emitting diode(LED) were used to treat diabetic ulcer. The clinical trials used sham laser irradiation or standard treatment as control in comparison to laser therapy. The endpoints included ulcer size, rate of healing and time to healing with follow-up period. The RCTs demonstrated therapeutic outcomes with no adverse effect. Most items of RoB were unclear and methodological quality was low. Conclusions : Our analysis suggests that laser therapy has therapeutic effects for diabetic ulcer. However, more systematic and stringent clinical trials will be required.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

In patients with diabetic foot, ulceration and amputation are the most serious consequences and can lead to morbidity and disability. Peripheral arterial sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, and foot deformities are major causes of foot problems. Foot deformities, following autonomic and motor neuropathy, lead to development of over-pressured focal lesions causing the diabetic foot to be easily injured within the shoe while walking. Wound healing in these patients can be difficult due to impaired phagocytic activity, malnutrition, and ischemia. Correction of deformity or shoe modification to relieve the pressure of over-pressured points is necessary for ulcer management. Application of selective dressings that allow a moist environment following complete debridement of the necrotic tissue is mandatory. In the case of a large soft tissue defect, performance of a wound coverage procedure by either a distant flap operation or a skin graft is necessary. Patients with a Charcot joint should be stabilized and consolidated into a plantigrade foot. The bony prominence of a Charcot foot can be corrected by a bumpectomy in order to prevent ulceration. The most effective management of the diabetic foot is ulcer prevention: controlling blood sugar levels and neuropathic pain, smoking cessation, stretching exercises, frequent examination of the foot, and appropriate education regarding footwear.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.585-589
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• 2011

Purpose: Microcirculation of diabetic patients is commonly comporomised, regardless of the condition of the macrocirculation. Therefore, direct tissue oxygenation measurement is recommended in determining tissue viability and predicting wound healing potential. This study was designed to determine cut-off value of the tissue oxygenation in predicting wound healing in diabetic foot patients. Methods: This study included 41 feet of 41 diabetic foot patients who were treated in the Diabetic Wound Center of author's institution between January and June, 2009. Main inclusion criteria were type 1 or 2 diabetes and a foot ulcer (duration > 3 weeks) and ulcer area (from 1 $cm^2$ to 4 $cm^2$). Measurements of the area of diabetic foot ulcer were carried out before treatment. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure ($TcpO_2$) was measured at adjacent site of ulcer. The healing wound was defined as complete wound closure within 12 weeks. Results: Average diabetic foot ulcer areas with healing and nonhealing wounds were $2.67{\pm}0.76$ and $2.59{\pm}0.75\;cm^2$, respectively. There was no significant difference in the wound area between the groups. Average foot $TcpO_2$ in healing and nonhealing wounds were $68.56{\pm}23.07$ and $30.98{\pm}16.66$ mmHg, respectively ($p$ <0.01). The rate of healing wound increased as $TcpO_2$ increased. In particular, $TcpO_2$ lower than 40 mmHg and higher than 40 mmHg showed the most significant difference (wound healing rates of 25% and 71%, respectively). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, the minimal $TcpO_2$ value thought to be required for adequate wound healing in diabetic wounds (cut-off value) is 40 mmHg.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.14-23
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• 2016

Objectives : One of major complications of diabetes, diabetic ulcer is also one of the main reasons for amputation, and the prevalence rate is 4-10%. Laser therapy is widely used for leg ulcer and diabetic ulcer, and it is known to improve wound epithelialization, cellular content, and collagen deposition. The purpose of this study is to investigate the properties of the laser and the spectrum of laser instruments for diabetic ulcer. Methods : We performed literature search using the PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL and Web of science for the data in English. In addition, other databases were checked for different languages such as OASIS and NDSL for the literature in Korean, CNKI in Chinese, and CiNii and J-STAGE written in Japanese. We excluded all review article and experimental studies, and only clinical studies using laser or light emitting diode (LED) for diabetic ulcer were selected. Results : A total twenty papers were selected. Different light sources were used as follows: LED, HeNe, InGaAlP, GaAlAs, GaAs, CO2, and KTP. The number of LED studies was 9, and HeNe laser was 7, and InGaAlP and GaAlAs laser was 2, GaAs, CO2, and KTP laser was 1 for each. Various energy density of the clinical study were reported. Conclusions : It is suggested that to select appropriate laser type and give the adequate output power to treat diabetic ulcer. Further evaluation and research for the condition of laser therapy to treat diabetic ulcers are warranted.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.314-320
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• 2020

Background: A diabetic foot is the most common cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations (LEA). The study seeks to assess the risk factors of amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Methods: The study was conducted on 351 patients with DFUs from January 2010 to December 2018. Their demographic characteristics, disease history, laboratory data, ankle-brachial index, Wagner classification, osteomyelitis, sarcopenia index, and ulcer sizes were considered as variables to predict outcome. A chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to test the relationship of the data gathered. Additionally, the subjects were divided into two groups based on their amputation surgery. Results: Out of the 351 subjects, 170 required LEA. The mean age of the subjects was 61 years and the mean duration of diabetes was 15 years; there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of these averages. Osteomyelitis (hazard ratio [HR], 6.164; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.561-10.671), lesion on percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (HR, 2.494; 95% CI, 1.087-5.721), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.981-0.999), ulcer size (HR, 1.247; 95% CI, 1.107-1.405), and forefoot ulcer location (HR, 2.475; 95% CI, 0.224-0.73) were associated with risk of amputation. Conclusion: Osteomyelitis, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease, ulcer size, and forefoot ulcer location were risk factors for amputation in diabetic foot patients. Further investigation would contribute to the establishment of a diabetic foot risk stratification system for Koreans, allowing for optimal individualized treatment.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.232-239
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• 2011

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most important diabetic complications because it increases the risk of amputations. Moreover, it lowers the quality of patients' life and increases the social medical expenses. Authors analyzed risk factors of intractable diabetic foot ulcer using retrospective study. Materials and Methods: From January 2007 to December 2010, 40 patients who could not achieve complete healing despite more than 12 weeks of proper management among who had been diagnosed and treated as diabetic foot ulcer at our hospital were included and evaluated retrospectively. We compared the risk factors between two groups who were finally treated by amputation and non-amputation. Results: The sample was composed of 31 male patients (77.5%) and 9 female patients (22.5%). Comorbidity including hypertension and hyperlipidemia were 77.5% and 80% each. By Wagner classification, 30 patients (80%) had ulcerative lesion over the grade 3. From bacteriology results, 29 patients (72.5%) had polybacteria infection. 35 patients (87.5%) had neuropathy and 26 patients (65%) had vascular stenosis at least one level. The mean initial ankle-brachial index and toe-brachial index were 0.982 and 0.439. In comparison between amputation group and non-amputation group, ulcer severity, number of stenotic vessel and initial ankle-brachial index/toe-brachial index had statistical significance. Conclusion: The most commonly risk factor of intractable diabetic foot ulcer was peripheral neuropathy reaching 87.5% of cases. In comparison with non-amputation group, ulcer severity according to Wagner classification, number of stenotic vessel and initial ankle-brachial index/toe-brachial index were demonstrated as a risk factor of amputation in intractable diabetic foot ulcer.