Due to chronic diabetes mellitus patient develops loss of sensation and decrease in blood supply to feet which in turn becomes prone to injury secondary to trauma, burns etc. once wound develops it would not heal by itself due to multiple factors involved in diabetes mellitus.

TREATMENT OPTIONS:

1. WOUND CARE

Control of blood sugar levels is the mainstay of treatment along with wound care.

Aseptic dressings with minor debridement (clearing debris) are all that is needed to make unhealthy wound to healthy one.

2. RECONSTRUCTION

Once the wound becomes healthy and the patient’s general condition is stable along with controlled blood sugar levels.

Reconstructive options include. 

skin grafting if underlying structures are not exposed.

or flap coverage (local or free flap)

Hospital stay depends on the general condition of the patient as a multi-disciplinary team is involved so it may take more than 2-3 days.

Success rate is directly proportional to blood sugar control and wound management.

 

Written by: Dr Ali Adnaan

Copyrights: Pakistan association of Plastic Surgeons