• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.26-30
• /
• 2004

Purpose: The infected diabetic foot patients were reviewed to analyze the result of new dressing methods using a wall-suction instruments. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients treated with wall-suction assisted vacuum dressing were included. After debridement under local anesthesia, a sponge pad, a drain, and a surgical drape were used to seal the wound. Negative pressure applied by the wall-suction at around 200 mmHg and dressing were repeated in every two to three days. The results of repeated wound cultures, growth of granulation tissues, and CRP level were closely observed on the regular basis. Results: Rapid growth of granulation tissues was noticed around the wound in 16 cases. No organism was obtained in an average 5 days and wound coverage was possible in an average 18 days. The CRP level returned to normal in an average 4 weeks. Two patients with end stage renal disease, who were regularly hemodialised, underwent major amputation. Conclusion: New dressing method has the following advantages: a rapid wound improvement in the patients with infected diabetic foot, less expensive, less painful, impediment of bacterial contamination in the hospital room. However, further study will be needed for the end stage renal disease patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.123-128
• /
• 2013

Background Some diabetic feet heal without complication, but others undergo amputation due to progressive wounds. This study investigates the risk factors for amputation of diabetic feet. Methods A total of 55 patients who visited our institution from 2008 to 2012 were included in the study. The patients with abnormal fasting blood sugar levels, lower leg vascularity, and poor nutrition were excluded from the study group, and the wound states were unified. The patients were categorized into a treatment success group (n=47) and a treatment failure group (n=8), and their hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and serum creatinine levels were analyzed. Results The initial CRP, WBC, and serum creatinine levels in the treatment failure group were significantly higher than that of the treatment success group, and the initial HgA1C level was significantly higher in the treatment success group. The CRP and WBC levels of both groups changed significantly as time passed, but their serum creatinine levels did not. Conclusions The initial CRP, WBC, and serum creatinine levels were considered to be risk factors for amputation. Among them, the serum creatinine level was found to be the most important predictive risk factor. Because serum creatinine represents the renal function, thorough care is needed for the feet of diabetic patients with renal impairment.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to present the clinical significance of rectus abdominis free muscle flap for large sized diabetic ulcer and necrosis of the foot to salvage limb. From June 2000 to February 2006, eleven patients were included in our study. There were seven males and four females with a mean age of 58.3 years (48~65) at the surgery. All had a history of diabetics and subsequent huge soft tissue defect caused by necrotizing abscess formation around the foot and the ankle. After complete debridement of large sized, infected necrotic tissue, susceptible intravenous antibiotics and wound care were done. After control of infection, confirmed by clinical and laboratory findings, the rectus abdominis free muscle flap was applied to cover remained large soft tissue defect and to prevent the recurrence of infection. All flaps survived and it provided satisfactory coverage for the soft tissue defect on the foot and the ankle area for a mean of 41.1 months (24~85) follow up period. All except of one patients did not have any recurrence of infection on the operation site and could salvage their limbs. The rectus abdominis free muscle flap could be recommended for large sized soft tissue defect after necrotizing abscess in diabetic foot to salvage major limb.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.250-254
• /
• 2006

Purpose: The treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with total contact cast has been reported to be associated with numerous undesirable complications. This study shows that our technique of total contact casting that incorporates high concentration silver coated foam dressing. Materials and Methods: Forty-four diabetic foot ulcers were treated with total contact cast along with high concentration silver coated foam dressing. Complication and healing rates were evaluated. Results: Eighty five percent of the ulcers healed within 6 weeks with an overall complication rate of 7%. There were only two cases (5%) of infection and no recurrent ulceration and no another site new pressure ulcer in our study. Conclusion: Total contact casting incorporates high concentration silver coated foam dressing resulted in fewer complications rate and healing rate that is comparable to other studies.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.277-282
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-home dressing with nanocrystalline silver dressing method on the treatment of chronic ulcer wounds of the foot. Material and Methods: One hundred-nine patients with chronic foot ulcer due to various causes were treated with nanocrystalline silver dressing material. Dressing was done by themselves in their home. Dressing changes were performed every 2 to 3 days until complete reepithelization. Results: One hundred two cases of all cases had a complete reepithelization. It took 49 days to have a complete reepithelization on average. Seven cases failed to complete reepithelization because of infection. There was no silver intoxication in any cases. Conclusion: Using nanocrystalline silver is a useful dressing method for various superficial chronic ulcer and it can be done by themselves at their home. Thus it is considered to be more comfortable to both patients and doctors.

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

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.208-211
• /
• 2019

Diabetic foot ulcers can progress to the point where amputation is needed, and so these ulcers require active treatment. Skin grafts or flaps can be performed for coverage of this type of ulcer. Local flap surgery is relatively easy to perform and good results have been previously reported. We performed single-lobed rotation flap on 5 cases of forefoot ulcer around the site of weight bearing. The location of the foot ulcers was the medial part of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in all the patients. The mean size of the defect was 4.70 ㎠. Managing of ulcers, controlling of diabetes and infection, and improving of peripheral blood flow were performed before surgery. In two cases, infection progressed to the articular cartilage and so metatarsophalangeal joint fusions were performed simultaneously. All the cases were completely transplanted. There was no recurrence of the ulcers, and all the patients were able to walk.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.335-342
• /
• 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 Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 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.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.78-86
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcers are significant problems in diabetes mellitus and often result in lower extremity amputation. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a self-care management program on Korean patient's self-efficacy, self-care behavior, size of the wound, and wound related pain. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study of pre-test and post-test design in a non-equivalent control group. The intervention strategies of the self-care management program consisted of individual intervention (education, practice and demonstration), computer animation, and face-to-face counseling. There were thirty seven patients, and 20 were assigned to the experimental group while the other 17 were assigned to the control group. The experimental group was given a self-care management program. The control group received information on diabetic mellitus care by means of a leaflet. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, a chi-square test, an independent t-test, and a Mann-Whitney test. Results: There were significant differences in self-care behavior and wound related pain. Conclusion: A Self-care program is an effective way to increase patient's self-care ability. This program is highly applicable to diabetic foot ulcer patients in various settings.