Diabetic foot complications account for most minor and major amputations all over the world. About 50% of patients with diabetes and foot ulcers have underlying peripheral artery disease, and diabetes in itself increases the major adverse limb and cardiovascular events.
Available treatment options
Antibiotic cover with regular dressing, Surgical- Debridement or amputation,Off loading footwear ,If acute limb ischemia, immediate vascular surgery referral,
Chronic wound healing by NPWT (Negative pressure wound therapy)
How NPWT works?
NPWT ( Negative pressure wound therapy)has been a major breakthrough in wound care over the last decade. In diabetic foot management, NPWT has had a significant impact on limb salvage, which is evident from existing literature. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a commonly used modality to facilitate tissue granulation and thus hasten the healing process.
Advances
The science of NPWT is still evolving and new additions such as instillation and nanocrystalline antimicrobials may further improve outcomes in infected wounds. Portable devices and home-care protocols are also expanding NPWT’s usage beyond the hospital setting.
However, it is important to emphasize that diabetic foot management is a multidisciplinary effort, and NPWT is only one of the essential tools in the overall management.
Successful outcome is heavily dependent on all treatment modalities including adequate wound debridement, appropriate antibiotic therapy, optimization of healing markers, and meticulous wound monitoring.
Have you seen any diabetic foot or any other wound patients benefit from NPWT?
MBH/PS