Assessment of surgical management of diabetic limb complications among patients

Abstract

Background: Diabetes has proved itself to be a silent killer disease. It has been estimated that there are more than two hundred million diabetics in the world. The present study was conducted to assess surgical management of diabetic limb complications among patients.Materials & Methods: 62 cases of diabetic limb of both genders were enrolled. Parameters such as causes of diabetic limb, family history, type of bone involvement, type of lesions, and treatment modalities were recorded.Results: Out of 62 patients, males were 38 and females were 24. Precipitating causes were trauma in 18, infected nail bed/Fissure in 8, spontaneous in 36. In 22 cases, there was bone involvement, type of lesions was septic in 46 and ischaemic in 16. Site was leg in 20, thigh in 10 and foot in 32. Appearancewas ulcer in 30, abscess in 14, cellulitisin 8 and gangrene in 10 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Treatment modality used was incision &drainage in 12, debridement in 26, above knee amputation in 5, below knee amputation in 4, disarticulation of the toes in 6 and grafting in 9 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).Conclusion: Most common appearance of diabetic limb was ulcer and the most commonly involved site was foot. Precipitating causes were trauma, infected nail bed/Fissure and spontaneous.